Illustration of SI joint and radiating leg pain

Is Your Lower Back Pain Actually SI Joint Dysfunction? A Guide to Symptoms and Relief

Theo Raines in Health & Wellness November 2025 • 4 min read.

"Uncover the Hidden Cause of Your Leg Pain: Understanding Sacroiliac Joint Disorders"

Lower back pain can be a real puzzle. Is it a pulled muscle? A disc problem? Sometimes, the pain you feel in your lower back and even down your legs might stem from a less-talked-about culprit: the sacroiliac (SI) joint. This joint, where your spine connects to your pelvis, can be a source of significant discomfort when it's not working correctly.

The tricky part is that SI joint dysfunction can mimic other common conditions, like sciatica or hip problems. This often leads to misdiagnosis and ineffective treatments. If you're experiencing persistent lower back and leg pain that doesn't seem to respond to typical remedies, it's worth exploring whether your SI joint could be to blame.

This article will delve into the world of SI joint dysfunction, exploring its unique symptoms, potential causes, and effective strategies for finding relief. Understanding this often-overlooked condition can be the first step towards reclaiming a pain-free and active life.

Decoding SI Joint Pain: What Does it Feel Like?

Illustration of SI joint and radiating leg pain

Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) disorders frequently manifest as pain in the buttock and groin, often extending to the thigh and leg. Leg symptoms may include pain radiating down the leg, and numbness or tingling sensations. Many experience pain around the posterior-superior iliac spine (PSIS). These sensations don't always follow the predictable patterns of nerve-related pain, so what should you be looking for?

According to research published in Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery, specific leg symptoms may suggest SI joint involvement. Here's a breakdown of what to watch out for:

Pain Location: The primary area of pain is reported to be in the back, buttock, groin, and thigh areas.
Numbness and Tingling: The sensations of numbness or tingling are typically detected in the lateral to posterior thigh and back of the calf.
Non-Dermatomal Patterns: The pain and numbness often don't align with typical nerve pathways (dermatomes), which is a key indicator.

Unlike nerve-related pain that follows a specific path down the leg, SI joint pain can be more diffuse and less predictable. It might feel like a deep ache, a sharp stab, or a general tenderness. Some people also experience a grinding or clicking sensation in the joint.

Taking the Next Step: Diagnosis and Treatment

If you suspect your lower back and leg pain might be related to SI joint dysfunction, it's important to seek a proper diagnosis. A physical exam, including specific provocation tests that stress the SI joint, can help your doctor determine if it's the source of your pain. Imaging tests like X-rays or MRIs may be used to rule out other conditions.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2017.03.020, Alternate LINK

Title: Leg Symptoms Associated With Sacroiliac Joint Disorder And Related Pain

Subject: Neurology (clinical)

Journal: Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: Eiichi Murakami, Toshimi Aizawa, Daisuke Kurosawa, Kyoko Noguchi

Published: 2017-06-01

Everything You Need To Know

How does sacroiliac joint dysfunction typically manifest itself?

Sacroiliac joint dysfunction, also known as SI joint dysfunction, manifests as pain in the lower back, buttock, groin, and can extend down the thigh and leg. Some individuals experience radiating pain, numbness, or tingling sensations in the leg. Crucially, this pain often doesn't follow typical nerve pathways, which distinguishes it from sciatica or disc-related pain. Many report tenderness around the posterior-superior iliac spine (PSIS).

If I suspect I have sacroiliac joint dysfunction, what steps should I take to get a proper diagnosis?

If lower back and leg pain persists and doesn't respond to typical treatments, it is important to seek a proper diagnosis to determine if the sacroiliac joint is the source of the pain. A doctor may perform a physical exam that includes specific provocation tests to stress the SI joint. Imaging tests like X-rays or MRIs may be used to rule out other conditions such as nerve impingement or disc issues.

Why is sacroiliac joint dysfunction so frequently misdiagnosed?

Sacroiliac joint dysfunction is often misdiagnosed because its symptoms mimic other common conditions like sciatica or hip problems. Because the pain patterns do not align to a specific nerve pathway and instead might be a deep ache, a sharp stab, or a general tenderness. Some people may experience a grinding or clicking sensation in the joint. This overlap in symptoms can lead to ineffective treatments if the SI joint is not properly evaluated.

How does the pain from sacroiliac joint dysfunction differ from nerve-related pain like sciatica in terms of location and pattern?

Pain related to sacroiliac joint dysfunction doesn't always follow predictable dermatomal patterns associated with nerve-related pain. Instead of a linear path, pain might be reported in the back, buttock, groin, and thigh areas. Sensations like numbness or tingling are typically felt in the lateral to posterior thigh and the back of the calf. The lack of alignment with dermatomes is a key indicator that the SI joint could be involved.

What treatment options are available to relieve sacroiliac joint dysfunction?

While the Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery research points to location of pain, and non-dermatomal patterns, it does not identify which treatment methods are best. To find relief from sacroiliac joint dysfunction, it is important to understand the underlying biomechanical issues that may be contributing to the problem. Other imaging techniques beyond X-rays or MRI's, such as CT scans, may be used to diagnose the root issues.