Version July 2025
Please read the Disclaimer at the end of this page.
What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").
What should I know? —
You came to the ED for "sacroiliac joint pain." This is pain coming from the sacroiliac joints of the low back. This is where the bottom of the spine connects to the pelvis. The pain can come from problems with the joints or the nerves in this region.
The doctors think your sacroiliac joint pain is likely not caused by something serious. But they might not be able to find all causes of your pain the first time they see you. It is important to follow up with your doctor.
You might be waiting on test results. The staff will notify you if there are concerning results.
How do I care for myself at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also do the following:
●Call your regular doctor and tell them you were in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment.
●Take non-prescription medicines to relieve pain, such as ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (sample brand name: Aleve).
●If your joint pain was caused by an injury, ice can help with pain and swelling. Put a cold gel pack, bag of ice, or bag of frozen vegetables on your low back every 1 to 2 hours, for 15 minutes each time. Put a thin towel between the ice (or other cold object) and your skin. Ice for the first 24 to 48 hours after an injury. After that, heat might help. Put a heating pad on your low back for 20 minutes at a time a few times each day. Never go to sleep with heat or ice on your back.
●Stay as active as you can without causing too much pain. It is OK to rest your back for a day or so. But get up and move around gently during the day as you can. After a few days, slowly start to increase your activity. If something causes your pain to come back or get worse, stop and go back to doing easier activities that did not hurt.
●Protect your back as much as you can. Limit sports, twisting, and heavy lifting until your pain is fully gone.
●Avoid sitting or standing in 1 position for a long time. You might want to sleep with a pillow under or between your knees if this eases pain.
When should I get emergency help?
●Return to the ED if you:
•Cannot walk
•Cannot control your bowels or bladder
•Get a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, chills, or night sweats
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if:
●Your legs are numb, weak, or tingly.
●Your pain is getting worse, even with pain medicines and rest.
●You feel weak or lightheaded.
●You develop any of these:
•Nausea or vomiting
•Pain when urinating, or needing to urinate more often
•Vaginal pain or discharge
•Rash
●You have new or worsening symptoms.
