Sacrum

The sacrum is an irregular, triangle-shaped bone comprised of five fused vertebrae that is located near the very base of the spine, directly below the lumbar section. The sacrum is located between two pelvic bones – called iliac bones – and is inserted like a wedge. It is held together by two joints called sacroiliac joints, one on either side. The spinal canal extends through the sacrum, and just like other vertebrae in the spine, sacral nerves exit through openings in the bone called foramina. The sacral region of the spine also includes between two and four tiny, partially fused vertebrae called the coccyx, or as it is commonly referred to, the "tailbone."

Can Problems Arise in this Area?

Back pain and other symptoms can certainly arise in the area of the spine. This is because a large number of activities place great amounts of stress on the region where the lumbar and sacral regions of the spine meet. The sacroiliac joints are responsible for providing the ability for the weight of twists and turns the trunk of the body makes, and just like any joint in the body, the protective lining of these joints can wear out over time. This can result in bone-on-bone contact, the formation of bone spurs, and nerve compression which can cause pain, numbness, weakness, and tingling.

Treatment for Sacrum Conditions

Typically, as with most other degenerative spinal conditions such as the deterioration of joints in the sacrum region of the spine, conservative treatments are effective in managing pain and other symptoms. These options can include rest, exercise, pain medications, physical therapy, hot/cold therapy, and more. However, some patients are simply unable to find relief through these methods, and instead turn to surgery. If you're suffering from lower back pain due to an issue in your sacrum, contact Laser Spine Institute today. Our revolutionary endoscopic procedures are a minimally invasive alternative to open back surgery and may be able to help you rediscover your life without back and neck pain.