Hello,
I have been reading the threadsabout SI Dysfunction and I am happy to say that I am post SI fixation and it is 100% effective.

I underwent a left SI joint fusion in 7/06. Started having problems again after a minor fall in October 07. My orthopedist had a MRI and CT scan done as well as plain filmes and said everything looked OK. Then went to a pain specialist where an injection in the lefet SI joint showed it to be the source of my pain. I have been on long acting pain meds for the last few months and my family doc decided I should get a second opinion. I gathered up all of my recent films, etc. I didn't expect much. Five minutes after looking at my films, he siad that it clearly showed a failure of fusion, with motion of the screws detected. How could my other MD as well as the radiologists not see this? The new doc clearly showed it to me on the films as well? Next step will probably be removal of the hardware. Any thoughts?

Sally,

I would not be so quick to allow removal of the hardware...I had a screw removed and it did not do much for the pain...I just had injections done yesterday...I think the injections do more for the pain than hardware removal...JMO>...

I had an injectio that only seemed to flare things up and after a few weeks I really was no better. Now this isn't spinal hardware, this is pins though the sacrum and iliac. I know they are causing me pain when I walk.

JMO,
I read about you going to Dr. Donnor in Loveland, CO. One question on the MANY that I have as I am considering ther surgery is did you have to fly home? I would have to take a flight and cannot figure out how to not put any weight on the area as I try to get home. Also, how long was the recovery? I have such a similar case as yours and have been considering the
spinal cord stimulator instead of the surgery. One reason is because I have been diagnosed with so many things that I am not sure that the surgery for my SI joint will even help. I do have pelvic pain from my pelvis being tilted forward and my hip is raised up on the right making my right leg shorter. Does the Dr. set your joint before placing the screws in place? Also, I think that they will have to use bone to graft my joint instead of just placing the screws. Did you just have the screws to keep your si joint from moving? I
know that everyone is different, but when I read your info. I was taken back
like wow that is me. I have had disk surgery, been told that I have DDD, and facet arthritist. All along I kept saying well that may be true but the pain seems to be coming from my SI joint moving. It feels like it rides up on my L5 SI nerve in the spine and causes unbelivable 10 plus pain. I really appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions. Not sure if I can face this big of a surgery after everything else that I have been through, but since I have very little quality of life it might be worth a try. One last question.... did the SCS help with your SI Joint Pain? Thanks!

Praying for Answers, Nicki

Hi Nicki,
The surgery with screws only is called "fixation" the surgery with bone graft and screws is called "fusion". They will determine if you are very unstable you will need the fusion or if your problem is more minor, you would only need fixation. If your pain is a 10, you should expect to have a fusion. They are SUPPOSED to allign you prior to surgery. The only doctor that does this to my knowledge today is Dr. Weiss because he has Vicki the PT do this in the O.R. I have heard of people being screwed/fused crooked by Dr. Donner, Amaral, etc. so I personally would not go that route. I had my fusion done in NYC with Dr. Rozbruch in Nov 2008 and I can not say I recommend it. He is the only doctor that DOES NOT use screws (bone graft only). In theory this can work and does work with people that are not so unstable. It is 6 months and I am still not feeling better and actually worse. There is a possibility I may be fusing crooked. I am flying out to GA to meet with Vicki Sims. Wish I had gone there for the surgery as I may be needing a revision. Hope this helps.

Hi Brendaschoenherr,

Please share who performed your surgery. I think I am going to need to have it done. I have already met with Dr. Amaral (took over for Dr. Lippitt in GA). I am not so sure about him and would like to meet with a different surgeon. Glad to hear you are doing well.
Thanks,
LCC

Just reading all the threads about the SI Joints and was wanting to know does your pelvis tilt on any of you and cause a lot of pain. My PT told me my pelvis is tilting and she put it back and the next time I go it is back out she said it was my SIjoint.I have so much pain in it that I can not sleep,sit,stand without being in pain.

Hi to everyone - found you on a Google search and am thankful I found this thread.

My husband was injured in a car accident about a year ago and has suffered from chronic low back pain ever since. Based on layman's reading and doctor input, we think (but don't know for sure) that the pain originates in his SI joint. He hasn't had any diagnostic injections yet, let alone SI injections, so we're operating sort of on the fly here, but I have a handful of questions about the SI injections.

For those who have received the injections, are they painful to receive? Is the relief you get from them worth the pain? How long do they last before they need to be repeated? Do you have yours done under Fluro, CT, or MRI? And if you're willing to share, what does each injection session cost on average?

We're trying to manage his pain conservatively, but I don't know how much longer he can take the daily pain and disruption - if this offers relief, he may have to go this route.

Thanks for the informational reading and for any insight you can provide.

Nandina, have you tried chiropractic or physiotherapy?
This sounds like what happens to me after doing too much lifting and twisting-gardening for instance.
Low back pain starts, then after a day or so moves a bit to one side. If it is not too bad, a long walk taking extra long strides can put it back in place, but failing that it is off to the chiro.
Happens to me all the time. Joint actually locks up. Then you get muscle spasms as it tightens all around it, so becomes VERY painful and debilitating.
Pain meds, anti-inflams, muscle relaxant and a good chiro.
Walking, if you can, is very good. On several occasions I have had to stop walking, being in a spasm, and had to return home and lie down. That's when you know it's time for the chiro.
Not sure if this is what he has, but worth a try.