Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery: Degenerative changes of the sacroiliac joint (joints within the pelvis) have been implicated as a cause of lower back pain in adults. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of sacroiliac joint degeneration in asymptomatic (symptom-free) patients.

Radiographic evidence of sacroiliac joint degeneration was found to be highly prevalent in the asymptomatic population and is associated with age. Caution must therefore be exercised when attributing lower back or pelvic girdle pain to sacroiliac joint degeneration seen on imaging.