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Score developed to identify SI joint dysfunction, mitigate need for injection

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SAN FRANCISCO — A simple, nine-point sacroiliac joint score developed by investigators from Japan may help distinguish sacroiliac joint dysfunction, which can affect the back, buttocks, groin and lower extremities, from lumbar spine disorders without the need for sacroiliac injection.

At the International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine Annual Meeting, Daisuke Kurosawa, MD, presented the findings from a study of 62 patients with sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction that was used to develop the score. Fifty-nine of the patients also had lumbar disorders; 28 patients had lumbar disc herniation, and 31 patients had lumbar spinal stenosis.

Kurosawa and colleagues investigated the SI joint‐related physical characteristics for all patients in the study, such as area of pain, pain in increasing position and provocation test findings. They then performed a statistical analysis to develop the score-based prediction rule, which was based on a patient’s physical findings.

“Our scoring system can be useful to distinguish SIJ at every age,” Kurosawa said.

The SI joint score will also help produce a more accurate diagnosis of SI joint dysfunction vs. lumbogluteal or lower extremity pain, he said.

The total score possible using the new system consists of nine points. Patients receive three points for the one-finger test, two points for groin pain and one point each for pain while sitting in a chair, the SI joint shear test, tenderness of the posterosuperior iliac spine and tenderness of the sacrotuberus ligament.

Higher scores are associated with a more accurate SI joint dysfunction diagnosis, according to Kurosawa.

Additionally, Kurosawa said patients who have a score less than four points on the new scale may actually have both sacroiliac and lumbar problems. – by Susan M. Rapp

Reference:

Kurosawa D, et al. Paper #35. Presented at: International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine Annual Meeting; June 8-12, 2015; San Francisco.

Disclosure: Kurosawa reports no relevant financial disclosures.