SI Joint Fusion

@joelhoward1092 I had a fusion from l4-S1 in 2023 for me I wish the could have supported l5 without going to S1 any twisting the pelvic gets out of align then bowels don’t want to move. Now if I rub the sacrum the pain goes right to my testicles . Any questions I’d be glad to discuss any with you

Like you, @joelhoward1092, I have my entire lumbar fused, have real difficulties with my SI joints, (particularly right side, but both do flare-up), & am considering future options to quiet them down.

My best "solution" so far has been chiropractor adjustments, but that gives me only about a week of semi-relief.

I'm looking forward to hearing SI joint fusion stories also, but at the same time, after 4 lumbar procedures, I've become rather "knife shy".

So I'm hoping to hear from others who've had their SI joint(s) fused... did it help or hurt your relief efforts?

So you have not had your actual SI joints fused?

Thanks for the response. I am at a point where I need to do some different. Pending the results of a diagnostic injection in my SI Joints, I am considering a minimally invasive fusion. However, just yes I saw a doctor that specializes in pelvic floor and pelvic therapy in general. She thinks she can help me and is concerned that fusion therapy SI joints could/would cause a cascade of problems down the road. She thinks that my pelvic problem is because I am fused at L5-S1, which does make sense. I am very confused about what to do.

Following.
I am fused at L4-5 (2020) and scheduled for injections to determine if my current pain is coming from L5-S1 or SI joint. I really don't want another surgery. I have a spinal cord stimulator that helps some.

Let me know how your injections go, please.

@joelhoward1092 What about physical therapy? Does your doctor think it could help you?

I have done tons of physical therapy including 4 times a week for the last 12 weeks. I am definitely stronger, but not much pain relief. I am kind of confused as to what to do next. This pelvic floor therapist thinks she can help me, but I don’t know what to think.

My other option is to get a diagnostic injection to determine if a minimally invasive procedure might help.

@joelhoward1092 It's worth a try, right? Fusing the SI joint is a permanent change, and it could put you in more pain afterward. My physical therapist told me about this. I do stretching and some muscle exercises to get my pelvis back in alignment and I use to wear an SI belt for stability. My pelvis tends to go out of shape because I have tight muscles on one side that pulls the illium bone forward. I try to keep my body aligned as best I can with stretching, and if I was really off, I could see my PT for a tuneup. Pelvis floor strength is important because that is holding your body up on a muscular floor within the pelvis. With aging, the pelvic floor can be weaker.

Thanks for the information Jennifer. So are you able to stay ahead of your pain with stretching and exercises?