Sciatica has become a general term for any pain going down the leg. It is supposed to be specific to compression of the sciatic nerve but it is no longer used that way. It tells you nothing about the condition.

Si jt dysfunction and sacrolitis are problems with the joint that connects the pelvis to the sacrum. This can be very hard to diagnosis and it is often difficult to differentiate between lumbar and si jt dysfunctions. It often depends on who you see for the problem. See 3 specalists and get 5 answers.

Bottom line with lbp is there is no black and white answer. There is no way to 100% know what is causing the pain.

Thank you for your help. I have 2 will look for a third and get 3 more answers :)

Hi,
what started this problem off? Were you by any chance pregnant and had an epidural.


Sacroiliitis is related to many different forms of inflammation and can be caused by pregnancy, trauma, bone infection, urinary tract infections, skin infections.


When examined it can be confused with sciatica, herniated disc, psoas abscess, or ankylosing spondylitis. If is due to infection a blood test should determine that - I am assuming blood tests were done.


However, if you were on an antibiotic at the time and didn't remember to tell your doctor, your blood test would not show infection was present.


Arachnoiditis could also be the culprit if you had any type of epidural.


Si joint dysfunction is another kettle of fish altogether.


Sorry to hear about your pain and problems getting a diagnosis. I too had that problem, but mine was not related to any of the conditions you posted. However, 30 odd years of research into back and neck pain and normal treatment protocols produced the following information. 83% of first time diagnoses into back pain, by conventional doctors, is wrong.


So keep on digging into these subjects, you need to protect yourself from improper treatment protocols.


Here's to a pain free life

I can relate to the same symptoms and have been diagnosed with ankylosing spondilitis, you should ask for a hlab27 blood test to see if this is in your genes that will either confirm it or eliminate it, have you tried diclofenac sodium that is quite good for the inflammatory. Good luck

The pain was caused by an injury 3 years ago. It has gotten progressively worse. I am not pregnant, i'm 5'3 and weigh less than 100lbs so its not weight. They have not done blood tests 2 doctors and all I recieved was an mri back in 2002 and just exams, si injections, and now tons of pain killers. This is wc related, they have been paying my benefits for 3 years--admitting the injury was work related- now they are fighting because the doctors have diagnosed me with permanent and total disabilty. I am at the point, I can barely walk-can't sleep and if I do, don't want to get up because of the pain. My whole life is feeling like one big effort with all this pain. I have read through these forums and just don't know whre people get the strength to keep going and I am 41!

Si disfunction is easily diagnosed by the correct doctor. Try to find an osteopath or 'sports medicine' doctor. I had this condition and was treated with prolotherapy. Read my various replies here under my posts to get my story. I know exactly what you are going through - you need to help yourself because most dr's do not understand backpain. Start reading websites like Bonesdoctor.Com (that is the Dr. That treated me and he was excellent), Prolotherapy.Com and Physsportsmed.Com/issues/2002/11_02/chen.H tm

keep up hope - you just need to find the right Dr.