Sciatica-like pain arising in the sacroiliac joint.

Sacroiliac joint disease is an under-considered cause of sciatica-like pain. One hundred thirty-three patients studied over 14 years, with sciatica-like pain, had their sacroiliac joints instilled with a combination of lidocaine/triamcinolone acetonide under fluoroscopy. Each patient had a normal myelogram or magnetic resonance imaging (or both) of their lumbar spine before entering the series. We described a reproducible fluoroscopic technique that other rheumatologists can use, if appropriate, to instill medication into the joint. Patients with pseudosciatica arising from their sacroiliac joints found relief with correctly placed instillations. The duration of relief varied considerably. Sciatic-like pain may indeed arise in the sacroiliac joints.