Sacroiliac (SI) joint injections: will the NHS or your insurer pay?
General information only. Not medical, insurance or legal advice. Coverage rules and prices change, so confirm with your insurer or public health service (such as the NHS, HSE or Medicare) before booking, and ask your doctor whether a procedure is right for you.
What it is
The sacroiliac (SI) joints link the base of the spine to the pelvis. An SI joint injection puts local anaesthetic, sometimes with a steroid, into or around the joint under X-ray or scan guidance. If the pain eases for a few hours, the joint is likely to be the source. Some people then go on to radiofrequency treatment of the nerves around the joint, or, rarely, SI joint fusion surgery.
Who pays, at a glance
| Route | Usually | Details |
|---|---|---|
| NHS (England) | A diagnostic injection may be funded in specific cases; therapeutic injections rarely | On the NHS |
| UK private insurance | Depends on your policy; long-term pain may be excluded as chronic | UK private insurance |
| Self-pay (UK) | About £425 to £1,775, depending on whether it is an injection clinic or a hospital, plus consultant fees in some cases | Self-pay prices |
| Ireland | Irish Life Health lists SI joint injection without pre-approval; 20% tax relief | Ireland |
What national guidance says
The Evidence-Based Interventions programme says diagnostic sacroiliac joint injections, using local anaesthetic only, should be used in people whose pain is believed to come from this joint. It does not support other spinal injections for back pain alone. NICE says not to offer spinal injections for managing low back pain, and it has separate guidance on minimally invasive SI joint fusion for people with a confirmed diagnosis.
Related procedures
- Radiofrequency denervation: will it be covered?
- Facet joint injection: will it be covered?
- All procedures and guides
Frequently asked questions
Can I get an SI joint injection on the NHS?
A diagnostic injection with local anaesthetic may be funded if your pain is thought to come from the joint and other treatment hasn’t worked. Therapeutic steroid injections are funded only in limited cases, depending on your area.
What is the difference between a diagnostic and a therapeutic injection?
A diagnostic injection uses local anaesthetic to find out whether the joint is the source of pain. A therapeutic injection usually adds a steroid to try to relieve pain for longer.
What usually comes first
Low back and buttock pain from the sacroiliac area is usually managed first with advice to stay active and exercise. Some NHS policies that fund sacroiliac injections expect conservative care to have been tried first.
- SI joint pain exercises (video + steps)
- Bridge for glute strength
- Chronic low back pain exercise routine (4 phases)
- Free printable low back pain exercise sheet (A4 and US Letter)
A physiotherapist can tailor an exercise plan to you.
Sources
- Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, Evidence-Based Interventions: injections for non-specific low back pain without sciatica (reviewed September 2024)
- NICE guideline NG59: Low back pain and sciatica in over 16s, recommendations 1.2.1 to 1.3.6
- NICE HTG436 (formerly IPG578): Minimally invasive sacroiliac joint fusion surgery for chronic sacroiliac pain
- One Stop Healthcare: Sacroiliac pain injections (hospital fee guide price)
- London Pain Clinic: Procedure fees (January 2024)
- Irish Life Health: Schedule of benefits, orthopaedics (2024)
Last checked October 2026. Found something out of date? Email hello@protocolarchive.com.
This page explains how coverage usually works, using public NHS, insurer, ombudsman and government sources listed above. It is general information, not medical, insurance, financial or legal advice, and it does not recommend any treatment, policy or provider. Rules differ by area and by policy and can change, so confirm with your GP, your insurer or the hospital before you decide. Protocol Archive is independent and is not affiliated with the NHS, the HSE or any insurer.