Sacroiliitis: An Overlooked Cause of Lower Back and Buttock Pain

Many patients with persistent lower back pain assume the problem is coming from a disc, muscle strain, or sciatica. However, in some cases, the true source of pain may actually be the sacroiliac (SI) joint.


At Pinnacle Spine & Neurosurgery, we frequently evaluate patients throughout Little Rock, Conway, Hot Springs, and Central Arkansas who are suffering from SI joint dysfunction and sacroiliitis. Because SI joint pain can closely mimic other spine conditions, it is often underdiagnosed or mistaken for lumbar spine disease. In some cases, a minimally invasive sacroiliac joint fusion may be a treatment option.

What Is Sacroiliitis?

Sacroiliitis refers to inflammation or dysfunction of the sacroiliac joints, which connect the spine to the pelvis. These joints help absorb shock and transfer forces between the upper body and legs during standing, walking, and movement.


When the SI joints become inflamed or unstable, patients may develop significant pain and difficulty with daily activities.

Common Symptoms of Sacroiliitis

Symptoms vary from patient to patient, but commonly include:


  • Lower back pain
  • Buttock pain
  • Hip or groin pain
  • Pain that radiates into the upper leg
  • Pain with prolonged standing or walking
  • Increased pain when transitioning from sitting to standing
  • Pain when climbing stairs or rolling over in bed



Many patients describe the pain as deep, aching, or sharp near the beltline.

What Causes SI Joint Pain?

Several conditions can contribute to sacroiliitis or SI joint dysfunction, including:


  • Degenerative arthritis
  • Pregnancy and childbirth
  • Trauma or falls
  • Prior lumbar fusion surgery
  • Inflammatory arthritis
  • Repetitive stress or instability


In some patients, SI joint pain develops gradually over time, while others notice symptoms after an injury or spine surgery.

How Is Sacroiliitis Diagnosed?

Diagnosing SI joint dysfunction can be challenging because the symptoms often overlap with lumbar disc disease, sciatica, or hip pathology.


Evaluation typically includes:


  • A detailed history and physical examination
  • X-rays, CT scans, or MRI imaging
  • Specialized SI joint provocative testing
  • Diagnostic SI joint injections


Diagnostic injections are often one of the most useful tools because they help confirm whether the SI joint is truly the source of pain.

Non-Surgical Treatment Options

Most patients begin with conservative treatment before considering surgery.


Treatment options may include:


  • Physical therapy
  • Anti-inflammatory medications
  • Activity modification
  • SI joint belts or braces
  • Image-guided SI joint injections
  • Radiofrequency ablation


Many patients experience significant improvement with non-surgical care.

Minimally Invasive SI Joint Fusion

For patients with severe or persistent SI joint pain that does not improve with conservative treatment, minimally invasive SI joint fusion may be an option.


This procedure stabilizes the SI joint using specialized implants placed through small incisions. Minimally invasive techniques may help reduce tissue disruption, postoperative pain, and recovery time compared to traditional open surgery.


At Pinnacle Spine & Neurosurgery, Dr. Gautam Gandhi utilizes advanced imaging and minimally invasive surgical techniques to help optimize precision and patient outcomes.

When Should You See a Spine Specialist?

You should consider evaluation if you have:


  • Persistent lower back or buttock pain
  • Pain that has not improved with conservative treatment
  • Difficulty walking or standing
  • Symptoms after lumbar fusion surgery
  • Pain interfering with work, sleep, or exercise


Accurate diagnosis is essential because many patients treated for “back pain” may actually have SI joint dysfunction.

SI Joint Treatment in Arkansas

Pinnacle Spine & Neurosurgery provides evaluation and treatment for sacroiliitis and SI joint dysfunction for patients in:


  • Little Rock
  • Conway
  • Hot Springs
  • Central Arkansas


Our goal is to identify the true source of pain and create an individualized treatment plan tailored to each patient’s condition and lifestyle.

Schedule a Consultation

If you are experiencing persistent lower back, buttock, or pelvic pain, you may benefit from an evaluation for SI joint dysfunction or sacroiliitis.


To learn more or schedule a consultation with Dr. Gautam Gandhi at Pinnacle Spine & Neurosurgery, contact our office today.

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Robotic Spine Surgery: What Patients in Arkansas Should Know

By Cindy Gandhi • March 23, 2026
Robotic spine surgery is an advanced surgical technique that helps spine surgeons perform procedures with greater precision and planning. At Pinnacle Spine & Neurosurgery , Dr. Gautam Gandhi uses robotic guidance technology to assist in complex spine procedures for patients in Little Rock, Conway, and Hot Springs, Arkansas . For many patients with spinal disorders, robotic technology can help improve surgical accuracy while supporting minimally invasive approaches. What Is Robotic Spine Surgery? Robotic spine surgery uses computer-assisted navigation and robotic guidance to help spine surgeons plan and execute procedures with high precision. The robot does not perform surgery independently . Instead, it functions as an advanced guidance system that allows the surgeon to plan the procedure in detail and execute it with greater accuracy. The surgeon remains fully in control throughout the operation. Robotic systems are commonly used during procedures such as: Spinal fusion Treatment of spinal stenosis Herniated disc surgery Degenerative disc disease Complex spinal reconstruction How Robotic Spine Surgery Works Before surgery, advanced imaging allows the surgeon to create a detailed 3-dimensional plan of the patient’s spine. During the procedure, robotic guidance technology helps the surgeon: Identify precise anatomical landmarks Plan optimal screw trajectories Improve implant placement accuracy Reduce unnecessary tissue disruption This level of planning helps surgeons tailor the procedure to each patient’s unique anatomy. Potential Benefits of Robotic Spine Surgery For appropriate patients, robotic spine surgery may offer several advantages: Greater Precision Robotic navigation helps guide implant placement and surgical pathways with high accuracy. Smaller Incisions Because the surgical approach can be planned in detail, many procedures can be performed using minimally invasive techniques . Faster Recovery Smaller incisions and less muscle disruption can often lead to: Less postoperative pain Shorter hospital stays Faster return to normal activities Reduced Radiation Exposure Advanced navigation systems may reduce the need for repeated intraoperative fluoroscopy. Who Is a Candidate for Robotic Spine Surgery? Not every spine condition requires robotic assistance. Patients who may benefit include those with: Degenerative disc disease Spinal stenosis Herniated discs Spondylolisthesis Conditions requiring spinal fusion During a consultation, Dr. Gandhi evaluates each patient individually to determine the safest and most effective surgical approach. Robotic Spine Surgery in Arkansas At Pinnacle Spine & Neurosurgery , we provide advanced spine care for patients across: Little Rock Conway Hot Springs Central Arkansas Our goal is to combine modern surgical technology with individualized patient care to achieve the best possible outcomes. When to See a Spine Specialist If you are experiencing symptoms such as: Persistent back pain Leg pain or sciatica Weakness or numbness Difficulty walking Symptoms that do not improve with conservative treatment It may be time to consult with a spine specialist. Early evaluation can help determine whether non-surgical treatment or advanced surgical options may be appropriate. Schedule a Consultation If you would like to learn more about robotic spine surgery in Little Rock, Conway, or Hot Springs , you can request a consultation with Dr. Gautam Gandhi at Pinnacle Spine & Neurosurgery . Our team will review your imaging, discuss treatment options, and help determine the best plan for your condition. Sources https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6844237/ https://www.medtronic.com/en-us/healthcare-professionals/products/surgical-robotics/robotic-systems/mazor-robotic-guidance-system.html