What is an SI joint fusion?

The SI joint is located at the bottom of your spine and is responsible for connecting your spine to your pelvis. Specifically, the SI joint connects the sacrum to the left and right hip bones. The lumbar spine is immediately above the SI joint, which is the reason why most people confuse SI joint pain with lumbar pain. The purpose of the SI joint is to stabilize the spine and allow it to remain strong and upright when standing, running or walking. Imagine the SI joint as the base of the spine; it needs to be strong to support all of the vertebrae and discs that make up the spine.

When a spine condition affects the SI joint, daily activities such as walking and standing become extremely painful and difficult. The goal of our minimally invasive SI joint fusion procedure is to decompress the nerve that is affected in the lower area of the spine and then immediately stabilize the spine to help patients return to their normal daily activities.

During the procedure, the surgeon will enter the SI joint through a small incision in the back. Through this incision, and with the help of special instruments, the surgeon will fuse together the sacrum and the pelvis to stabilize the spine and decompress the affected nerve. We are confident that our SI joint fusion will help you find relief from the chronic lower back pain and limited mobility that you experience with SI joint conditions.

What are the advantages of an SI Joint Fusion?

People who experience chronic pain in the sacroiliac joint (SI joint) of the spine often have difficulty standing or walking for an extended period of time. The SI joint allows you to perform two of mankind’s most basic functions: stand and walk. Without this joint, you would not be mobile. Since the SI joint plays such an important role in our daily lives, having a spine condition that negatively affects this joint can cause an immediate change in quality of life.

At Total Spine & Orthopedics, we understand the frustration you feel about the limited mobility you experience from your SI joint condition. Our minimally invasive SI joint fusion procedure aims to alleviate the pain associated with an SI joint condition and treat the condition at its source.

If you are suffering from chronic lower back pain and you have been diagnosed with an SI joint condition, please continue reading about our SI joint fusion to decide if this minimally invasive treatment option is right for you.

What can cause SI Joint Pain?

There are several causes of SI joint pain. The best way to determine your cause is to have an MRI taken of your SI joint and lumbar area so we can complete a comprehensive analysis of your spine. The most common causes of SI joint pain include:

• Arthritis of the spine
• Spondylitis
• Injury from a fall or misstep
• Previous failed lumbar fusion
• Uneven length in legs
• Uneven hip alignment
• Pregnancy
• Other common spine conditions

For a complete analysis of the type of spine condition you have and the severity of the condition, we suggest you schedule an in-person physical and MRI review so we can help you determine the best treatment option for your specific needs.

What symptoms can be relieved with an SI Joint Fusion?

The most common symptom treated by our minimally invasive SI joint fusion procedure is pain in the SI joint itself. This pain can also radiating pain to surrounding areas, such as the hips and buttocks. The most common areas where this pain is seen include:

• Thighs
• Buttocks
• Pelvis
• Lower back
• Hips

Other symptoms of SI joint disease includes:

• Difficulty walking or standing
• Limited range of motion
• Stiffness in lower back
• Pain that increases with sudden movements, such as coughing or sneezing
• Pain that decreases when lying down

Contact us today or visit our Melbourne, Florida office if you would like to learn more about us or how we may be able to help you.