2. Board-certified in spine and orthopedic surgery,
Paul Saiz, MD, performs a variety of procedures
designed to help patients on their road to
recovery. Among Dr. Paul Saiz’s many areas of
expertise are problems related to the sacro-iliac,
or SI, joint.
The SI joint is located below the bottom of the
spine and above the hip joint. A connector
between the pelvis and the spine, it serves as a
shock absorber and transmits weight between
the legs and the upper body.

3. While it is the largest joint in the body, the SI
joint's relationship to back or leg pain is not
clearly understood. It is thought, however, that
up to 25% of pain in the lower back might be
related to this joint.
Although surgical treatment of the SI joint is
typically not a first option, it can be beneficial,
particularly when other methods of treating back
or leg pain have failed. Minimally invasive
surgery designed to immobilize this joint has
short recovery time, and can provide relief for
patients.