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I Have Constant Low Back Pain: Can Sacroiliac Joint Fusion Help?
Back pain is one of the most common types of pain, and it can have a significant impact on daily life, from missed days at work and reduced productivity, to a reduced quality of life.
Conventional treatments sometimes fail to provide adequate relief, leaving you to struggle with daily pain and limitations. In some cases, issues with the sacroiliac (SI) joint are at the root of back pain.
At aCELLerated Interventional Orthopedics, Dr. Brian K. Rich specializes in comprehensive spine care and pain management. Dr. Rich offers SI joint fusion, a minimally invasive procedure that eases pain and can help you get back to a life with less pain.
The unique nature of the SI joints
While low back pain has various causes, in some cases, sacroiliac joint damage is responsible. The SI joints are a pair of joints located in the lower part of the spine between the triangular bone at the base of the spine (sacrum) and the pelvic bone (ilium) on each side.
These joints are crucial for connecting the spine to the pelvis and transferring forces between the upper body and lower body. They’re essential for providing stability and support to the spine, allowing you to move comfortably when walking, bending, and twisting.
The SI joints are unique in that they have limited mobility compared to other joints in the body. Ligaments surrounding the SI joints help keep them stable and limit their movement, which is crucial for preventing injury.
When the SI joint causes back pain
Issues with the SI joints, such as inflammation, dysfunction, or injury, can trigger low back pain. Pregnancy, degenerative changes, and anatomical abnormalities boost the risk of SI joint-associated low back pain.
When should you consider SI joint fusion?
SI joint fusion offers an effective solution for patients who had an extensive work-up, received a diagnosis of SI joint problems, and tried other therapies without relief.
It's particularly worth considering if diagnostic injections of anesthesia directly into the SI joint temporarily relieve the pain. This suggests that the SI joint is indeed the pain source.
SI joint fusion
SI fusion is designed to stabilize the joint, providing long-term pain relief. Because it’s minimally invasive, it results in less pain, reduced blood loss, and quicker recovery compared to traditional surgery.
The procedure involves placing small implants across the joint, promoting fusion and stabilization over time. The goal is to eliminate the excessive motion that contributes to pain.
SI joint fusion is shown to effectively reduce pain, improve function, and improve quality of life, and these results are backed by research.
Living with constant low back pain can feel like an uphill battle, but sacroiliac joint fusion may offer relief. If other options have failed to meaningfully reduce your pain, it’s worth considering SI joint fusion. To learn more, and to find out if you’re a candidate for SI joint fusion, contact our office to schedule a consultation with Dr. Rich.
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