In this episode, we delve into the complexities of the canine sacroiliac joint (SIJ), exploring its anatomy, dysfunction, and treatment options, based on the latest research on biomechanics, diagnostic challenges, and therapeutic interventions.
Note: This episode is not meant to be taken as veterinary advice. It was created for background information for anyone interested in the topic.
In this episode, we explore a commonly overlooked source of pain and performance issues in dogs: sacroiliac joint (SIJ) dysfunction. Drawing on veterinary physiotherapy sources and clinical experience, we examine the structure and function of the SIJ, the challenges of diagnosing dysfunction, and its relevance for working dogs, agility competitors, and companion animals alike. We also consider how SIJ dysfunction interacts with other musculoskeletal issues, the behavioural signs owners might notice, and the treatment options available.
Key topics
Anatomy and biomechanics of the sacroiliac joint
Causes and consequences of SIJ dysfunction in dogs
Clinical signs and behavioural indicators
Challenges in diagnosis and differential considerations
Manual therapy, rehabilitation, and management options
Relevance for trainers, owners, and allied professionals
Long-read article
Introduction: the hidden hinge of canine movement
The sacroiliac joint is a crucial but often neglected component of the canine musculoskeletal system. Located where the sacrum meets the ilium on each side of the pelvis, it forms a weight-transferring bridge between the hindlimbs and the spine. Unlike freely mobile joints, the SIJ is a combination of a fibrous and synovial joint, allowing only small degrees of movement—but those micromovements are essential for shock absorption and locomotor coordination.
When functioning well, the SIJ supports efficient, powerful movement. When compromised, it can become a source of pain, instability, and compensation throughout the body. Yet because its symptoms often mimic or overlap with other conditions, SIJ dysfunction in dogs remains underdiagnosed.
Anatomy and biomechanics
The sacroiliac joint consists of:
A cranial synovial portion that permits minimal gliding movements
A caudal fibrous portion with ligamentous stabilisation
Surrounding ligaments including the sacrotuberous ligament and dorsal sacroiliac ligaments
The joint's stability depends more on ligamentous support and muscular tension than bony congruence. Key muscles influencing SIJ mechanics include the gluteals, multifidus, iliopsoas, and hamstrings. These muscles form part of the lumbopelvic stabilising system and are also involved in broader locomotor chains. Even minor disruptions in this system—from injury, overuse, or compensation—can destabilise the joint.
Because the SIJ lies at the intersection of load transfer between the hindlimbs and spine, even subtle biomechanical inefficiencies can have far-reaching effects. Instability here often creates a chain reaction: altered stride mechanics, compensatory lumbar stiffness, and chronic muscle tension in surrounding areas.
Causes of dysfunction
SIJ dysfunction can result from:
Repetitive strain (e.g., agility, flyball, or working dogs performing repeated high-impact movements)
Trauma (e.g., slipping on slick surfaces, being knocked over, vehicular accidents)
Compensation from other lameness or spinal issues (e.g., stifle or hip pathology, intervertebral disc disease)
Pelvic asymmetry or chronic postural imbalances (e.g., habitual crooked sitting or trotting)
Inadequate core strength or poor proprioceptive training
In younger dogs, trauma or early-onset lameness may be the trigger. In older dogs, SIJ dysfunction may develop gradually due to cumulative biomechanical stress, arthritis, or muscle weakness. Dogs with hypermobility or underlying connective tissue laxity may be especially prone. In bitches, parturition or hormone-related ligamentous changes may also play a role.
Signs and symptoms
SIJ dysfunction presents with a mix of vague and specific signs, such as:
Hindlimb lameness or gait asymmetry, often intermittent or shifting
Shortened stride length or reduced drive from the rear limbs
Difficulty rising, jumping, climbing stairs, or making tight turns
Pelvic stiffness or a 'bunny hop' motion in fast trot or canter
Discomfort on palpation or mobilisation of the pelvis, particularly asymmetrically
Uneven muscle development or tone in the gluteals, hamstrings, or lumbar spine
Behavioural signs such as irritability, flinching when touched, reluctance to work or play, or loss of performance in trained dogs
It may coexist with or mimic hip dysplasia, stifle instability, lumbosacral disease, iliopsoas strain, or lumbar facet joint pain. Without careful assessment, it can easily be missed or misattributed.
Assessment and diagnosis
Veterinary diagnosis typically requires a combination of:
Orthopaedic and neurological exams to rule out primary limb or spinal causes
Careful palpation of the pelvis and SIJ region for asymmetry, tenderness, or restricted motion
Observation of gait, transitions (e.g., sit to stand), and dynamic posture
Provocative tests such as pelvic compression/distraction or thigh thrusts (used cautiously)
Imaging, though SIJ lesions are difficult to detect radiographically unless advanced imaging (e.g., CT, MRI) is used
In many cases, diagnosis is presumptive and made based on clinical signs, exclusion of other causes, and response to targeted treatment. Canine physiotherapists, osteopaths, and chiropractors may use specific manual assessments to evaluate SIJ mobility and muscle balance across the pelvis.
Treatment and rehabilitation
Management typically involves a multimodal approach:
Manual therapy (e.g., mobilisation, myofascial release, joint adjustment) to reduce discomfort and improve range of motion
Stabilisation and strengthening exercises targeting core, gluteal, and pelvic muscles
Proprioceptive retraining to restore symmetrical movement patterns
Modalities such as therapeutic ultrasound, low-level laser therapy, PEMF, or acupuncture to reduce inflammation and support tissue healing
Progressive return to activity with load management and postural retraining
Pain relief as required (e.g., NSAIDs or adjunct medications under veterinary guidance)
Chronic cases may require ongoing conditioning programmes and reassessment to prevent recurrence. In sporting dogs, routine musculoskeletal checks can identify SIJ dysfunction before it leads to secondary problems such as iliopsoas strain or compensatory forelimb overload.
Wider relevance: not just a performance issue
Though often associated with sporting or working dogs, SIJ dysfunction can affect pet dogs as well. Large breeds, older dogs, or those with prior injuries may be particularly at risk due to biomechanical loading patterns and muscle weakness. Dogs living in homes with slippery floors, poor traction, or limited movement opportunities may also be vulnerable.
Behavioural signs such as reluctance to play, subtle changes in posture, avoidance of stairs or jumping into the car, or altered sleeping positions may all signal pelvic discomfort. These signs are frequently dismissed as ageing or "slowing down" but may reflect a treatable issue.
Educating owners and frontline professionals to consider the SIJ in the differential diagnosis of hind-end issues is key to improving outcomes. Recognising the SIJ's role in whole-body coordination and weight transfer reframes how we approach common presentations like "hind-end weakness," "wonky gaits," or recurrent soft tissue strains.
Conclusion: supporting the silent joint
The sacroiliac joint may be silent when healthy, but its dysfunction can reverberate across a dog's entire body and behaviour. It plays a foundational role in load transfer, shock absorption, and locomotor efficiency. Recognising its role and the subtle signs of dysfunction is essential for anyone involved in canine care, training, or performance.
Early diagnosis and appropriate intervention can dramatically improve comfort, function, and long-term health. With better awareness and assessment, SIJ dysfunction need not remain an invisible contributor to canine pain and performance decline.
Practical takeaways
Watch for subtle signs: SIJ dysfunction rarely presents clearly—look for gait changes, reluctance, or uneven muscle tone.
Consider the SIJ in complex cases: Especially when back pain, hip issues, or performance decline lack a clear cause.
Rehabilitation matters: Manual therapy and stability exercises can make a significant difference.
It’s not just a sports injury: Pet dogs, especially large breeds and seniors, are also at risk.
Early detection prevents escalation: Addressing SIJ dysfunction early reduces the risk of secondary compensatory problems.
This episode is based on the latest research and clinical findings regarding the canine sacroiliac joint, covering its anatomy, biomechanics, diagnostic methods, and treatment approaches:
Christian Daniel, Sarah Burkhardt, Nicole Röhrmann, Franziska C. Wagner, and Elmar Woschke. Determination of the mechanical properties of the sacroiliac joint of a dog by imaging measurement methods and model update in a multi-body model. Proceedings in Applied Mathematics and Mechanics, 24, e202400084. https://doi.org/10.1002/pamm.202400084
Michael Carnevale, Jeryl Jones, Gang Li, Julia Sharp, Katherine Olson, and William Bridges. Computed Tomographic Evaluation of the Sacroiliac Joints of Young Working Labrador Retrievers of Various Work Status Groups: Detected Lesions Vary Among the Different Groups and Finite Element Analyses of the Static Pelvis Yields Repeatable Measures of Sacroiliac Ligament Joint Strain. Front. Vet. Sci. 7:528. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00528
Laurie Edge-Hughes. Hip and Sacroiliac Disease: Selected Disorders and Their Management with Physical Therapy. Clinical Techniques in Small Animal Practice, December 2007. DOI: 10.1053/j.ctsap.2007.09.007
Laurie M. Edge-Hughes. Assessment and Treatment Techniques for Canine Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunctions. The Canine Fitness Centre Ltd, Calgary, Alberta.
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