Movement of the sacroiliac joint: Anatomy, systematic review, and biomechanical considerations

Abstract

Several researchers investigated the anatomy and biomechanics of the sacroiliac joint (SIJ) to understand the relationship between lower back pain and the SIJ. Many studies concluded that the SIJ has little movement; however, some studies using spinopelvic parameters mentioned high change in pelvic incidence (PI). In this study, SIJ movement and PI change reported in previous studies were reviewed according to position and posture changes. Literature on SIJ movement was reviewed by searching through the publication databases. In biomechanical studies, the result of the rotational angle in the sagittal plane was mainly investigated to compare with the results of PI change. From the results of SIJ movement studies, the minimum movement of nutation and count-nutation was 0.01°, and maximum movement was 2.27°. From the results of PI change studies with different positions and movements, the highest change was 9°, and the lowest change was 0°. Movement of the SIJ was limited by its anatomical structure; maximum movement of the SIJ was 9° in a previous study. Therefore, SIJ movement should be studied more intensely as biomechanical perspective to understand its movement.

Biomechanical analysis of sacroiliac joint motion following oblique-pulling manipulation with or without pubic symphysis injury

“…Studies have shown that ROM of the SIJ has a maximum rotation of about 1.5° in the axial direction, with 1.2° in males and 2.8° in females ( Brunner et al, 1991 ; Kiapour et al, 2020 ), and a lateral bend of approximately 0.8° ( Miller et al, 1987 ; Cardwell et al, 2021 ), and the rotation in different planes can be as small as 0.01°, not more than 3°( Sturesson et al, 1989 ; Sturesson et al, 2000 ; Foley and Buschbacher, 2006 ; Cho and Kwak, 2021 ). The minimum rotation angle is similar to the minimum rotation angle in this study (0.098°).…”

Effectiveness of 5% Dextrose Water (D/W) versus Corticosteroid Injection for Pain Management of Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

“…Sacroiliac joint dysfunction (SIJD) is a significant cause of lower back pain, with an estimated 10% to 27% of individuals with mechanical low back pain attributing their discomfort to the sacroiliac joint (1). The sacroiliac joints (SIJs), which link the spine to the pelvis, play a crucial role in transmitting the pressure from the lumbar spine to the lower extremities, thereby enduring considerable strain (2,3).…”

Effect of Sacropelvic Hardware on Axis and Center of Rotation of the Sacroiliac Joint: A Finite Element Study

“…The anatomical structure of this joint is variable among individuals. [1][2][3] Several in vivo studies found that its physiological movement varies from about 15° (antagonistic mobility of the 2 ilia) to less than 3°, possibly influenced by degenerative disorders of the joint, which were typically present in the joints investigated in these studies. 4,5 Many in vitro studies showed a range of nutation movement up to only 3° that might also be expected under normal physiological conditions in which the ligaments guide and restrict the joint motion.…”

“…6,7 Despite this relatively low motion, many researchers have studied the movement of the SIJ because it is considered a possible cause of low back pain and posterior pelvic girdle pain. [8][9][10][11][12][13][14] Such studies typically investigated rotational angles and translation of the SIJ in the anatomical planes, 1 focusing on the "quantity" of the motion. To describe "quality" of motion, other parameters such as axis of rotation (AoR) and center of rotation (CoR) of the SIJ can be evaluated with respect to several individuals, load intensities, or loading planes in order to further analyze the motion and the stability of the SIJ.…”