INTRODUCTION: Low back pain (LBP) represents a public health problem. The etiology remains unknown in a high percentage of LBP (85-90%) and it has been suggested that the sacroiliac joint dysfunction may be responsible for this high percentage. PURPOSE: To determine the frequency of sacroiliac joint dysfunction in young people with LBP and describe possible associations of the dysfunction with socio-demographic, clinical and anthropometric characteristics of the population. METHODOLOGY: Subjects were selected by direct interview. Sixty seven subjects participated in the study (92.5% women), with age mean of 21 ± 2.1 years. Physical examination consisted of pain evaluation, hip flexion range of motion, assessment of the functionality using the Oswestry Disability Index and reproduction of pain by four tests (Gaenslen, thigh thrust, iliac compression and sacrum compression). The diagnosis of sacroiliac joint dysfunction was made if at least three of the tests were positive. RESULTS: The sacroiliac joint dysfunction frequency was 35.8% CI95% (24.0-47.6). It was possible to observe association of sacroiliac joint dysfunction with the decreased hamstrings flexibility, Oswestry Disability Index score and pain during palpation. There were not significant associations between sacroiliac joint dysfunction and socio-demographic variables. CONCLUSION: The high sacroiliac joint dysfunction frequency suggests a possibility for early detection and treatment of a possible cause of LBP which may avoid functional alterations of greater severity.
Sacroiliac joint; Low back pain; Incapacity assessment
