Editorial Commentary: Consider the Sacroiliac Joint: Imaging a Source of Pain Can Feel Compelling. Orthopaedists Would Do Well to Remain Skeptical.

Abstract

With regard to the association of sacroiliac (SI) pain and hip arthroscopy outcomes, it is vital to understand that imaging the SI joint may be unreliable. A recent systematic review on diagnostic accuracy for SI joint pain concluded that more reliable criteria are strongly positive responses to diagnostic injection and a physical examination in which 3 or more provocative maneuvers are positive. SI joint degenerative changes can be found in a majority of asymptotic patients and might be considered normal finding until proven otherwise. When it comes to the spine and pelvis, radiologic changes should be interpreted by caution by both hip surgeons and spine surgeons.