Hi all im new to this so excuse me if i stuff up, im an Aussie and im coming to Utah in Feb 09 i think i have SIJ Dysfunction no one in Australia seems to know much about it, and im looking for a Physical therapist in Salt Lake City who is experienced in SIJ problems any help much appreciated it has been 9 years of hell ive had L4/5 and L5/S1 fused and it hasnt helped at all.
but im not giving up no way.........

Hi Kaydee,
I am Aussie and have been in pain for 9 years also ive had L4/5 and L5/S1 fused and it hasnt helped at all.

From my research on the internet it appears i may have SIJ Dysfunction although no one seems to know much about SIJ problems in Australia so im coming over to Utah as my brother lives in SLC can you put me onto anyone in SLC i could see to diagnose me ? any PTs for excersizes please contact me Cheers Andrew

WOW..small world I began seeing Dr.Ebrheim in Oct 08..and I agree he is wonderful, and has helped my tremendously! I would love to share your fusion experiences..as I may end up getting that done.

My experience with fusions is terrible ive had two L4/5 and L5S/1 neither of them gave me any pain relief and if anything made things worse , i think PT is the way to go but if after giving it your best effort for a few months your no better and if you must have an operation the cutting edge back surgery in the world is performed at The Bonati Institute or the Laser Institute in Florida.
I may be going there shortly.

Aussie: Hi. Sorry for taking so long to get back to you. I have seen three physical therapists in the SLC area and did not find one who helped me.

I would recommend that you try to get an appointment with Vicki Sims at Gainesville Physical Therapy in Gainesville, Georgia. Phone: 770.297.1700.

Vicki is supposed to be the best in the U.S. and also works with a surgeon (Dr. Weiss) in the area who does SI fusion if needed. I will be traveling to see both Vicki and Dr. Weiss in a couple of weeks. I would be happy to fill you in following my appts. with them.

I'm so sorry you had those spinal fusions with no relief! I've read that it's common for people with SI joint degeneration to also have compression at L4/L5/SI. I guess when the SI is really off, it also throws the alignment of the spine off. My last doc here had been treating me for compression of the L4/L5/SI and I was considering surgery. But, a recent x-ray showed significant degeneration of my SI joint.

Best of luck to you. I too have had this problem for a long time and refuse to give up!!

Take care!
Kaydee

I am so happy to hear that you all are talking about SI joint dysfunction. It is true that the general medical community knows little about the disorder. I have had severe problems for 4 months, and have been practically bedridden. I have been through all the tests and traditional and holistic treatments with limited success. I currently go to Body Mechanics PT in Atlanta which Vicki Sims co-founded but have never been treated by her. I have been going to PT for 3 months and have my first appointment with her tomorrow Jan 9th to discuss surgery. I cannot live like this anymore! I would love to know and share any experiences with Vicki and Dr. Weiss regarding surgical treatment.
Thanks
Melissa

Hi Kaydee, thanks for replying and the tip on Vicki Simms , yes please let me know how you go with her, i never did travel to SLC as now i cannot sit for more than a few minutes so im still in Australia, but am contemplating a trip to Gainsville, as im fast running out of options.

Cheers Aussie

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.