Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Injuries

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When most people think of a work-related back injury in Illinois, they think about herniated discs or “thrown out” backs. But another common source of lower back pain is the sacroiliac (SI) joint.

What Is The SI Joint?

The SI joints sit at the base of your spine, where the sacrum connects to the pelvic bones. These joints don’t move a lot, but they play an important role. They help transfer force from your upper body to your legs and provide stability when you walk, lift, bend, or twist. When something goes wrong with one of these joints, the pain can be intense. We have had injured workers tell us the pain is so bad that if it can not be cured, they would not want to live. We understand the severity of this injury and know how to help.

An SI injury usually involves inflammation (sacroiliitis), ligament strain, joint dysfunction, or instability in the joint. Workers may feel pain in the lower back, buttocks, hips, or even pain that radiates into the legs. Because these symptoms can look very similar to disc injuries, SI joint problems are sometimes misdiagnosed. We have seen some cases where an experienced work comp lawyer figured out what was wrong before the orthopedic doctor did.

SI Joint Injuries and Workers’ Compensation

SI injuries can happen in a single accident or develop over time. A fall at work can easily hurt or disrupt the joints, especially if landing on one side. Heavy lifting, particularly when combined with twisting, is another common cause. Car accidents while driving for work can also send force through the pelvis and spine, leading to SI injuries. In other cases, the injury builds gradually from repetitive bending, awkward postures, or long hours standing on hard surfaces.

Certain professions tend to experience these injuries more often. Construction workers, warehouse employees, and delivery drivers regularly lift and carry heavy items. Nurses and healthcare workers often move or reposition patients, placing strain on the lower back and pelvis. Factory and assembly line workers may perform repetitive bending and twisting throughout the day. Police officers, firefighters, and other first responders can experience sudden trauma or impact injuries. Even truck drivers who sit for long periods may develop SI joint problems due to prolonged pressure and vibration.

You may not know exactly when and how you hurt yourself. That is common. But under Illinois work comp law, if we can prove that your job contributed to your condition, you should be able to get workers’ compensation benefits. That is important because it would pay for 100% of your medical care, your time off of work and eventually you could get a settlement.

Medical Care For A Sacroiliac Injury

Diagnosing an SI joint injury is not always easy. There is no single test that definitively proves it. Doctors rely on a detailed history of how the injury occurred, a physical exam with movement tests, and imaging tests like X-rays or MRIs to rule out other problems. In some cases, a diagnostic injection into the SI joint is used to confirm that the joint is the source of pain.

Treating an SI injury usually starts with physical therapy to strengthen the core and stabilizing the pelvis. Taking anti-inflammatory meds and changing or restricting your activities may also help. Some workers feel better when they wear an SI belt for support. If the pain and symptoms don’t go away, steroid injections into the joint may be recommended. In more serious cases, surgery such as SI joint fusion may be the answer.

Again, all of this care would be covered by work comp whether you have your own insurance or not.

Working With A Work Comp Lawyer

SI joint cases can be complex in the workers’ comp system. Insurance companies sometimes label these injuries as “non-specific low back pain” or argue that the condition is degenerative (normal wear and tear/aging) rather than work-related. When that happens, benefits may be delayed or denied.

That’s why it is important to have an experienced Illinois workers’ compensation lawyer involved. A lawyer can help make sure your condition is properly documented, that your doctor clearly explains how the injury is connected to your job, and that your wage and medical benefits are protected.  It is extremely important that you hire a lawyer who has a track record of winning cases for SI joint injuries. That is why people come to us. We know which Illinois attorneys do a great job.

There is no fee to hire an attorney for a work injury in Illinois. They only get paid if they make a recovery for you and that fee is usually limited to 20% of what they get for you for a settlement. Before then they can not just make sure you get benefits, but protect you from dirty insurance company tricks including:

• Sending you to an IME
• Taking a recorded statement
• Trying to access more medical records than they are entitled to
• Assigning a nurse case manager to your claim
• Trying to talk to your doctor which is illegal

An injury this serious requires a few things. You need medical care right away. Don’t ignore the problem or it could become permanent and life altering. It also requires a law firm that protect your health and finances. We will get the best one for you. Nobody pays us to recommend them. We will provide you with the same guidance we as attorneys would give to a close friend or family member. Contact us via chat, by phone or through our contact form for a referral to an excellent Illinois workers comp lawyer who has represented many workers with SI joint injuries.