Sacriliac Joints

[emzee]

My neurologist had me get a CT scan and it showed my sacroiliac joints are what's giving me the problems I have been having. He sent me to a pain management center. The doctor there will look over my MRI and my CT scan records and decide what plan of action we will take. He explained about the injections for this problem and said they usually help for 4 or 5 months. The neurologist said if the injections didn't help there is an easy, minimally invasive operation for this.

I have no idea what I will do. Of course no operation till I do the shots but I am wondering if I should get another opinion, make sure I cover all the angles. The neurosurgeon and the pain management doctor are both highly regarded, I did my homework. Still the whole thing is scary after reading some of the posts about back surgeries etc.

Thanks for listening. 🙂

[emzee]

I haven't figured out which way I am leaning. I am looking for something on PT for the SI Joint to no avail. Going to continue to search that though. The pain management doctor is going to administer some sort of steroid (probably cortisone) to the joints. That doesn't scare me like surgery would.

This is the surgery that is done for these joints......


The iFuse Implant System is a minimally invasive surgical option for SI joint conditions, including sacroiliac joint disruptions and degenerative sacroiliitis. The procedure typically involves three small titanium implants surgically inserted across the SI joint, and is designed to create a durable construct to stabilize the SI joint. The procedure is done through a small incision and takes about an hour.

[Jayco254]

Back in Feb. I sipped a disc in my neck and was very miserable, couldn't hardly move. My Doctor did a MRI and mentioned surgery but only as a last ditch effort. He wanted to try physical therapy first. Believe me I was ready for any surgery he would of wanted to do, but after 18 sessions with the therapist surgery was unneeded, just make sure you do the exercises they recommend. The only problem I have left is some kind of weird feeling in the finger tips on my right hand, and that is gradually going away. Therapy might be worth a try. It worked for me. Good luck with what ever you decide.

[Kemahsabe]

Pawz4me wrote:
Did he mention physical therapy? I'd absolutely want to try that before surgery.

X2. In the '80s (before MRI and CT) doctors were recommending surgery for my lower back problems. A new primary care physician said physical therapy was all I needed. Result? Twenty-seven years without back problems.

Here's your clues: Neurosurgeon = surgery. Pain Mgmt Specialist = drugs. Physical therapy and nutrition are rarely considered.

[Pawz4me]

Did he mention physical therapy? I'd absolutely want to try that before surgery.