After 3 back surgeries, having a SI joint fusion

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I hear you. I had surgery 2 1/2 years ago. got very little relief. they feel that maybe the fusions they did were done too well and did not allow my upper spine to move at all, causing the levels about it to bulge. they are saying i need another surgery to correct it, but then what about the levels above it! I am in bed with terrible pain most of the day. DOn't think i will ever have another surgery. tell me more about your experience. you are in my prayers
 
:wave: Brenda!! I want to wish you the best of luck in your upcoming surgery and pray that this is an answer to your pain. You have certainly been thru alot!! Just remeraber to take care of yourself and let yourself heal. Everything else can just wait for another day to be done.
 
Having my SI joint fusion surgery tomorrow. Send some prayers my way! I'll let you all know how I'm doing when I get back, and I'll be praying for pain-free days for all of you as well.
 
It's been a while since I posted on here, and I hope you have all been as pain free as possible and doing well since I last posted.

After having 3 back surgeries with this last one being an L4-L5 fusion, I found out my problems all along were due to my left SI joint being shot and not my back. The 2nd two back surgeries I had were due to problems caused by the 1st surgery, but the 1st surgery wasn't necessary.

I'll be having an SI joint fusion next Wednesday, Dec. 2.

The main symptom of SI joint problems is the inability to sit which I've had all along. If you have this problem and severe sciatica, be sure to get this checked out. Also, a lot of spine surgeons and other doctors don't know how to recognize this so you need to seek out a doctor who knows about it.
 
Iam a 68 yr. old female who is one year post op. PLIF, L5 S1 with bone fusion, roRAB, and screws. I guess Iam what they call a failed back surgery. I have been in pain for a year now. Had physical therapy. Just had another Myleogram and CT scan to see what the problem is. I have lost all faith in my surgeon, not because of the failed back surgery, but the fact that he isn't telling me the truth. Scan showes a buldge or protrusion , he said he has no idea what it is. I think this is whats causing all my pain.
He said he didn't know. Well wouldn't it stand to reason to find out and fix it?
He recommenRAB another 6 weeks of physical therapy. I can't see where it's going to help. My next visit is in mid January and Iam going to insist on some answers. No body should be in this much pain for a year. I can barley tolorate it. Thank God for darvocet N 100. If anyone has any suggestions to my complainte, please let me know a.s.a.p.
Bless you all.
 
Brenda, praying for a sucessful surgery for you tomorrow.....will be thinking of you....

Leslie
 
Good luck with your surgery. I am sorry you have been through so much for nothing. My neurologist said eventually I will also need the SI joint fusion but not right now. I also have numerous other problems.
 
Hope all goes well for you. Are you having the newer surgery for the SI joint? I am going in for a revision on my SI joint surgery, which failed to fuse, on 12/10.... Please listen to your Drs., and stay down....if they advise no walking...that is hard not to do, but necessary in order for you to heal. Will be thinking of you...

Sage
 
Just wanted to wish you a speedy recovery and let you know prayers are being sent your way. It seems to me that more and more people are talking about problems with the SI joint but doctors don't really discuss this that much.

Linda:angel:
 
Thank for all your well wishes, and Sage I really hope your revision SI surgery goes well.

From what I understand, the SI joint diagnosis is controversial, and doctors (even most spine surgeons) aren't trained in how to test for it. In fact, I had been seeing a physiatrist who told me that my SI joint wasn't causing my severe left leg sciatica and that all people who have back surgery end up with SI joint pain since all the ligaments and muscles are so interconnected.

I am having a newer SI joint fusion surgery done by Dr. Stark in Minneapolis. He has done about 500 of these surgeries so far and developed newer technologies for it. He now speaks at conferences and trains doctors all over the world in his methoRAB. I can't put links to other web sites here, but you can search with this information and find more information about SI joint surgery and diagnosing it if you're interested.

I have been told I can't walk at all for 6 weeks on my left leg and will be on crutches. I think I'm more nervous about this than the actual surgery! At least I could walk after my back surgeries. I have been practicing with a pair of crutches that are my son's, and I think I'm flunking crutches school so far. I have found my walker easier to get around with without putting any weight on my left leg.
 
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