Anyone navigating SI joint fusion complications?

Hello - hipe your Dr can give you some relief. They cut the rods out of 1 level and did not replace them

Hello, I'm not having a revision surgery, too risky. I started Fosamax to help build bone, I cannot afford evenity. I'm exercising and taking calcium, d3, k2 , magnesium and increased protein.
Are you in pain since they removed your rod? Is there movement since there isn't a rod to stabilize?
I'm sorry you're going through this too. Take care of yourself.

Try an MFR therapist! They are really great after surgeries. Don’t quite adequately repair the bones. It’s probably the muscles and the nerves. You will need to be under guided rehabilitation and you need to give your recovery a couple years for your body to heal. I had one hip replaced then the other two years later and then my lumbar. You will need to rebuild your core. When you have fusion your tiny pair of spinal muscles have to be exercised in a different way. You need to return to your orthopedic surgeon and get his comments and create a plan of care. It takes like three months for postoperative swelling to go down and it takes another quarter of a year to start working on your muscles and it can take 4 to 10 years for your nerves to regrow and remodel themselves, so don’t look at this a short term but rather long-term and make sure you tap into your doctors. A great orthopedic surgeon and a great MFR therapist working in tandem along with your proper exercising will help you recove completely at 42. Sometimes nerves and scar tissue get in the way and have to be dealt with later but that’s usually a year or two out so make sure you are getting MFR therapy to help that along.

Sorry for what you're going through Molly. I'm 70 now and was told I needed to fuse S1/L5/L4 - and I got that advice almost 15 years ago, and still no fusion.

I think it's inevitable, as I have scoliosis, stenosis, listhesis, and degenerative discs. Had laminotomies about 10 years ago and that fixed sciatica by relieving pressure on the sciatic nerve (drilled holes into the back of the vertebrae, minimally invasive surgery).

My new surgeon tells me that all that is keeping me from fusion surgery is a very strong set of core muscles. I am in the gym everyday and do a lot of core work. I spin 5x/week and that helps my cardio fitness and core at the same time. For obvious reason, this is one ortho surgery I'd like to avoid.

All the best to you Molly. I hope you feel better.

Joe

Hi Joe,

Oh, I am very sorry what you are going through as well. Back surgery and pain are difficult and risky. I wish I never had the L5 S1 fusion/cage, but ended up in the ER, couldn't walk, had a fracture. I also have scoliosis in my thoracic. I have a lot of hardware in my back which has caused a lot of pain, issues, restrictions and have neuropathy in both feet now. This surgery has changed my life forever.

If I were you, please try to avoid the fusion. Is there another type of less invasive surgery like kyphoplasty that would help you? And I agree, strengthening the core is key, I do exercise and go to planet fitness, walk etc. I have weight restrictions, so have to be careful but I am determined; do not want a revision.

I am 66 yo and for the last 2 years after surgery have been working hard to strengthened core and feel better. My doctor told me this is my "new normal" and to adjust. Like everyone, doing the best we can.

I wish you the very best and hope you do not need a fusion.

Your exercise routine is impressive with all you have going on. Keep it up it will help your post surgery. I’m 73 & had a s1 L5-4 fusion with a three level cage lower back and I have a two level cage in my neck. The neck has developed more bulging discs, but it doesn’t bother me nearly as bad as my lower back which now is involving L2 and three and right now I’m saying I don’t want surgery, but I think it really bad. I’ll probably change my mind. Oh well it is what it is. Good luck and keep us posted.

Thank you for your kind comments Cookie.

I've had both big toes fused, both knees replaced, one hip replaced, and getting my shoulder replaced in August. Even so, what you are going through is what concerns me about any kind of spine surgery (usually cervical and lumbar).

And I'm truly sorry for the pain you're experiencing. I don't have much knowledge about spine surgery - but a female friend at the gym, age 80, has had 7 or 8 vertebrae fused and she is almost always in pain. She mentioned looking into nerve ablation. I know very little about it, I believe it destroys the end of a nerve to ease pain, but I'm not sure.

Might be worth a little research or at least a question for your Dr. I do wish you all the best. You are a fighter, my kind of person!

Joe

Hi Lorie,

Thanks for this explanation of what is involved, esp post-op, with spinal fusion surgery. I'm a veteran of joint replacement (big toe fused, both knees replaced, right hip replaced, left shoulder next) - and my lumbar xray looks like a disaster area..

My surgeon tells me I've avoided fusion surgery by having a very strong core. There are many, many muscles and tendons that make up the core and they deserve our attention.

I was first told I needed S1/L5/L4 fused in 2008. I passed on that and the sciatica resolved. 10 years ago sciatica returned and I found a Dr willing to do a much-less invasive laminotomy on these vertebrae to make more room for the sciatic nerve, and remove a partially ruptured disc. So far, so good, but I work the core daily.

Thanks again.

Joe

Thank you Joe. I hope your well. I just think it is what it is so we have to deal with. What golden years huh. We can do the best we can to keep moving.
God bless my friend.
Cookie

Thanks Cookie. Yes keep moving is very, very good advice at our age. What's sad is that too few of us do it.

As someone told me, "The Grim Reaper has a hard time hitting a moving target."

Joe