SI Joint Dysfunction

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jodee56

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This is my 2nd post to try to get some help. Has anyone had SI Joint surgery and does anyone know an Orthopedic Surgeon in the midwest that will not say that an SI Joint problem does not exist. It seems that all the Orthopedic surgeons work for the Workmans Comp Insurance companies.
 
I had fusion on the L4/L5 but none on the SI Joint. I have a PT that manipulates it back in but it comes back out. The work comp ortho says that a SI Joint does not move. He released me MMI and work comp will not let me see another doctor. I have since hired a lawyer. We called other Orthos but when they found out it was Work Comp related and SI Joint problem, they would not see me.
 
I would suggest seeing a back/spine specialist. Not an ortho. My doc works strictly on the spine, and he is very aware of all the nerves and joint such as the SI Joint. I have not heard of SI surgery but I do know that pain management can inject it with steroiRAB to calm it down.
Sorry I am not much help, but I never had luck with any ortho docs.
Jen
 
I am in the same boat. Due to injuries long ago, my SI joints have been a problem for many years. I had fusion of L4-L5-S1 four years ago due to disc problems. But since then, the SI joints have just gotten worse and worse. My chiropractor has even suggested that fusion may be in order, but the local surgeons do not believe in it (WI). I am going in tomorrow for injections. If this relieves the pain, it may convince a surgeon to operate. It makes me nervous. I am wondering what fusion of the SI joint will feel like. Anybody out there have it done?
 
I am also investigating the SI joint problem. My neuro. thinks this is what I have.... I had an injection into the SI joint...and it killed all of the pain...butt..leg...foot. It was wonderful..but, the injection wore off quickly, as it was just diagnostic. From what I understand, there are only a few doctors who specialize in the SI joint and it's surgery. I live in Florida..and have one of the specialists just up the road about 60 miles from my house...I haven't seen him yet...but have heard great things about him from Lisa...another board memeber who has a friend who had the SI joint surgery..
Look up articles on SI joint..and see where those doctors come from..or call a few specialists and see who they use for SI joint problems...
I wish you luck...you probably did a good thing in hiring an attorney to help you..

Sage
 
I think that SI joint surgery may be the exception rather then the rule. If the injections do not offer you lasting help (as they did not for me), a radio-frequency de-nervation of the nerves that run through the SI joint can be done. This is much less risky than surgery and more commonly done. This does not solve the underlying problem but it does rid you of a lot of the pain- like the injections but for a lot longer. I had this procedure done through the pain-management center of a major teaching hospital, so I think it falls under the domain of pain-management as opposed to spine specialist. Best of luck to you! Lisa
 
I too was going to recommend a pain management specialist. My spine surgeon could not figure out where my post surgical pain was comming from and he referred me to a PM Dr. This Dr. told me, the very first visit, that he suspected my pain was comming fom my SI joint. On the other hand, I think the surgery may be something that only some Drs. do. I read the posts from here, re. fusing the SI Joint, and my Dr. said that he does not do them and does not recommend them. I think it may just be because there is not as much studies done on it yet. I have had the diognosis injections and the radio frequency treatment done, with no luck. It is my Drs. opinion that I have gone too long without having the area tight and that no matter what we do, it will always pop out. So, it is just pain management, from this point on.

I will, however, keep watching these posts and see if one day something knew comes up.

Lorie:angel:
 
When I had my first lurabar fusion (L-4, L-5 S-1) with laminectomy/decompression, my Dr discovered my SIJ had problems too. When I opened my eyes he told me that surgery instead of 5-6 hours was almost 9 because he saw a lot of damage at tailbone area and SIJ area. I had metal plate and metal clips in pelvic area due to SIJ problems.
I am so sorry I can't explain more accurate what was done in that area, but I only know what I was told.
He explained to me that no really tests which can show the problem at SIJ area, that a good Ortho Dr can diagnose it just by manipulations, but most times it goes undiagnosed and can cause a lot of pain and discomfort for patients. And that sometimes SIJ problems some DRs mistake for spinal problems and people have unnessesary surgeries.

Best of luck to you; I hope some good Dr will be able to help you. Don't stop if you know something is wrong. Trust me: many of us here went for many opinions to many Drs until we got our questions answered.
Take care:angel:
 
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