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 Everyone,
I was in auto accidents which resulted in a diagnosis of SIJD. At this point I've had PT, cortisone injections, and lots of pain and confusion. It has changed my life. It is disabling, and couldn't walk much before the SI joint injections last week. I'm not sure how long this relief will last.

It has been impossible to get straight answers from my medical providers - when I ask about prognosis, he says "everyone is different" and "there's no surgery for this", yet on the internet there are surgical alternatives.
Anyway, any input would be appreciated.