Spinal Arthritis & Degeneration
Sacroiliac Joint Degeneration Treatment Specialists
Expert SI Joint Degeneration Treatment in Phoenix, AZ — From a Dual Board-Certified Spine Surgeon & Neurosurgeon
Sacroiliac joint degeneration is a commonly missed cause of lower back and buttock pain. At Desert Spine and Pain, Dr. David L. Greenwald, MD, FAANS, FACS, a dual board-certified spine surgeon and neurosurgeon, confirms the SI joint as your pain source and treats it, least-invasive-first.
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Over 30 Years Experience in Orthopedic & Neuro Spine Surgeries.
The sacroiliac (SI) joints connect your spine to your pelvis — and when they wear down, they cause lower back, buttock, and hip pain that's frequently mistaken for a disc problem. Pinpointing the SI joint is the key. At Desert Spine and Pain in Phoenix, a dual board-certified spine surgeon and neurosurgeon confirms it and treats it directly.
Book a Consultation — (602) 566-9500The Sacroiliac (SI) Joint
What Is Sacroiliac Joint Degeneration?
Sacroiliac joint degeneration — also called SI joint dysfunction or SI joint arthritis — is wear and inflammation of the joints that connect the sacrum (the base of the spine) to the ilium (the pelvis). These joints absorb load as you walk and bend, and when their cartilage degenerates, they produce pain low in the back, over the buttock, and sometimes down into the hip or thigh.
SI joint pain is one of the most under-recognized causes of lower back pain — which is why a precise, image-guided diagnosis is so valuable.
When to See a Specialist for SI Joint Pain
See a specialist for persistent pain low in the back or over the buttock — especially if it's worse when standing up, climbing stairs, or rolling over in bed, or if treatment aimed at your discs hasn't helped. Those are classic clues the SI joint is involved.
Go to an emergency room or call us immediately if you develop progressive leg or arm weakness or numbness, loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness around the groin, fever, or symptoms that follow a significant accident or fall.
How We Treat SI Joint Degeneration
SI joint degeneration is treated least-invasive-first — and confirming the joint with a diagnostic injection comes first.
Conservative care & therapy
Physical therapy through our on-site partner BackFit Health + Spine to stabilize and offload the SI joint.
Image-guided SI joint injections
Sacroiliac joint injections relieve pain and confirm the SI joint as the true source — the essential diagnostic step.
Radiofrequency ablation
When the SI joint is confirmed, radiofrequency ablation can quiet the nerves carrying its pain for many months.
Minimally invasive SI joint fusion
For a painful, unstable SI joint that hasn’t responded, a minimally invasive SI joint fusion stabilizes it for lasting relief.
Why Choose Our Si Joint Specialists in Phoenix
Choosing the right SI joint specialist in Phoenix matters. At Desert Spine and Pain, your care is led by Dr. David L. Greenwald, MD, FAANS, FACS — a physician who is both a board-certified spine surgeon and a neurosurgeon. That dual expertise is rare, and it means one expert can guide you across the full spectrum of care — from a simple injection to complex surgery — and recommend what is genuinely best for you, whether you need a SI joint doctor for conservative care or a surgeon when surgery is truly the answer.
A rare dual credential — so the specialist who treats you can also perform surgery if it's ever needed.
Most patients get better without surgery. We only advance when your condition truly requires it.
No referral needed. We make it straightforward to see a top spine specialist, even out-of-network.
24/7 concierge response and close coordination with personal-injury attorneys.
Life Beyond the Pain
What to Expect: Your Care Journey at Desert Spine and Pain
From your first visit, the goal is a clear diagnosis and a plan built around you — not a one-size-fits-all protocol.
Consultation
We listen to your history, examine you, and review any prior imaging — no referral required.
Diagnosis
If needed, we order or review MRI/X-ray imaging and may use diagnostic nerve testing or a diagnostic injection to confirm the exact source.
Personalized plan
Dr. Greenwald explains your options in plain language and starts with the least invasive treatment likely to work.
Treatment & follow-up
We deliver your care — therapy, a procedure, or surgery at an affiliated accredited facility — and follow you closely until you're back to living.
Insurance, Out-of-Network & Cost
Cost and coverage shouldn't stand between you and relief. Desert Spine and Pain welcomes out-of-network patients and will walk you through what your evaluation and treatment are likely to involve before anything is scheduled — so there are no surprises. We'll help you understand your benefits and options, whether you're using insurance, paying out-of-pocket, or being treated under a personal-injury claim.
Injured in an Accident?
If your pain started with a car accident, slip-and-fall, or work injury, we offer a dedicated pathway: prompt evaluation, thorough documentation and records for your case, and direct coordination with your personal-injury attorney. You focus on recovering; we handle the medical side.
Schedule Your ConsultationProudly Serving the Greater Phoenix, Arizona Area
Patients travel to Desert Spine and Pain from across Arizona for specialist spine care — because the right spine surgeon is worth the drive. We welcome patients from Phoenix and communities throughout the Valley and beyond:
…and surrounding Arizona communities. Out-of-network patients are welcome, and no referral is required — schedule a consultation.
Related Conditions We Treat
Not sure which applies? Start with the spinal arthritis & degeneration conditions we treat.
Find out if your SI joint is the problem.
See a dual board-certified spine surgeon and neurosurgeon in Phoenix for a precise SI joint diagnosis and a least-invasive-first plan.
Book a Consultation — (602) 566-9500Sacroiliac Joint Degeneration: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my pain is from the SI joint?
SI joint pain is typically felt low in the back or over the buttock and is often worse standing up, climbing stairs, or rolling in bed. A diagnostic SI joint injection confirms it — if the injection relieves your pain, the SI joint is the source.
Why was my SI joint pain missed before?
The SI joint is a commonly overlooked cause of lower back pain and is easily mistaken for a disc problem. A targeted, image-guided evaluation is what distinguishes it.
Will I need SI joint fusion?
Most patients don't. SI pain is usually controlled with therapy, injections, and ablation. A minimally invasive SI fusion is reserved for a painful, unstable joint that hasn't responded.
Do I need a referral, and are you out-of-network?
No referral is required, and we welcome out-of-network patients.
Dr. David L. Greenwald, MD
Neuro-Spine Surgeon
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If sacroiliac degeneration is causing persistent lower back or hip pain, you don’t have to live with the discomfort. Dr. Greenwald and his compassionate team will help identify the root cause of your symptoms and create a personalized treatment plan to restore your comfort and function. Every step you take toward better spine and joint health brings you closer to lasting relief. Schedule your consultation today and let us help you move forward with greater ease and less pain.
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Over 30 Years Experience in Orthopedic & Neuro Spine Surgeries.
Dr. David L. Greenwald, MD, FAANS, FACS
Neurosurgeon | Spine Surgeon | Regenerative Medicine
Dr. David L. Greenwald, MD, FAANS, FACS, is a board-certified spine surgeon and neurosurgeon with extensive experience diagnosing and treating sacroiliac joint degeneration, which can cause pain, numbness, or weakness. He uses advanced imaging to pinpoint the true source of your symptoms and builds a personalized, least-invasive-first plan — from conservative care and targeted injections to minimally invasive surgery only when it is truly needed. His skill and patient-centered approach help patients throughout the greater Phoenix, Arizona area experience meaningful pain relief, reduced recovery time, and restored mobility.
Book your Spine Care Consultation Today!
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