I’m 61 and developed severe SI pain in one day five years ago. My life changed overnight. I had ifuse surgery a month later. It didn’t help. My bones also didn’t fuse. My surgeon then recommended a lumbar fusion, which didn’t help. I Then had an SI Joint fusion revision surgery - partial open procedure with packed bone matter to help it fuse. This time my bones fused BUT the pain has been significantly worse ever since. I never really considered that could happen. I thought I had nothing to lose and everything to gain by giving it a try. But now I’m on 5 x’s the pain meds I was on previously and can only walk for 12 min without a walker. I hate to bear bad news, but just thought it might help you to hear that revision surgery is a very tricky matter. I found out after the fact that my surgeon had only ever done 7 revisions. I wish I asked more questions about the success rate. Anyways, I’m very sorry about your pain. I hope you can find relief.
I am sorry you went through such an ordeal and are still suffering the consequences from your doctor’s incompetence. For the last last year, my Sr and I have been trying to get my insurance to approve and a SI joint fusion but they have denied my request twice. I'm beginning to think that these obstacles that I keep running into you, are not coincidences.
42 yr old, active female. Suffered a traumatic weight lifting injury about 2 yrs ago and have been dealing with chronic lower back and SI joint pain ever since. Recently underwent Ifuse SI joint fusion which has provided about 70% relief from SI joint pain, but am now dealing with compensation in my hips which have mild OA but have really flared up as my activity levels increased after the fusion 4 months ago. I also have some disc bulging / stenosis in the lumbar spine which according to MRI is mildly affecting the left side L5 nerve but I’m aware of any symptoms (yet). Trying to navigate options of which specialist can help get to the root cause of my complications and make sure I’m not setting myself up for more /worse injuries down the road. I’m not attempting to get back into high impact cross fit but do want to be able to stay fit & active. Thanks for any help!
55-year-old male needs a L2 L3 L4 L5 to the pelvic Fusion I have questions about how stiff I will be what movement I will lose and how strong I will be afterwards herniated disc between L2 and L3 pushing severely on the nerve causing pain down the left leg hip and degenerative disc disease
I was out walking 6 weeks +1 day after my left total hip replacement (Feb 2022). Doing so well with the recovery. Walking 4-5 miles a day, at home and out patient PT. While out walking on day 1 after 6 weeks my left foot had a slight scuff over a dirt mound and I felt a twinge in my hip. When I got home I took a couple of Tylenol and lots of ice packs. After 48 hours I called the surgeon. At the visit a couple of days later, he said the X-rays looked great!!! He told me to reduce my activity for a couple of weeks. After 4 months of more dr visits, labs, imaging, lots of PT, and chiropractor visits. Finally one spine Dr said the pain and discomfort are signs of SI Joint Dysfunction. We did some diagnostic injections and then later, RF Ablation (which didn't last long) plus the same symptoms I've been experiencing have migrated over to the right side. Ugh!!! So, finely I got another pain specialist and we did SI Joint fusions (4 months apart). We used an Allograft from a company called PainTeq. Not happy with the product. Maybe because of my weight (200lbs) was too much for just the one implant on each side. The Allograft acts more like a pivot point and not a complete fusion. So, once I started to get into my normal activities (bike riding, walking, swimming), I was still experiencing the same discomfort. So, 2 days ago, my new best friend, implanted 3 SI iBone devices in my left SI Joint. Of course I haven't been able to test it, but I do feel less discomfort on the right side. I haven't taken a pain pill since Monday night. Ice is my best friend!!!
Thank you for the suggestion, @pacer3702! I have not considered disability until recently with my job loss and should talk to my doctor. I have an appointment at the end of the month and will bring this up with her. It is so hard to get a job when you are over 40 (age discrimination is very real and I work in HR!) and if you have any limitations/disabilities. I have not gotten new jobs when looking for something new over the last few years (have an excellent resume/education/experience) and believe it was due to my age and health status (probably don’t look the healthiest). I would get through phone screens just fine but once they saw me on video or in person, I was not considered further. I won’t qualify for social security until 62 but full retirement is 67 and Medicare at 65 so I have a huge gap to cover for myself while also raising a minor child.
I know this is now 2 years later. Did you apply for disability? I did in Feb 2022 and finally after 2 denials, I had a phone meeting with a judge plus I had a lawyer (25% or 6000max). I guess I passed because they gave me 100% disability. It was the best thing I could have asked for because I was receiving early retirement benefits (18 months before full retirement). I fought for the disability because the difference was about $400/month. If you filed for disability and haven'y received any compensation yet. Keep on fighting!!! Especially if you are the caregiver for a special needs child. You should be receiving something for that, I hope!!! Hope you are pain free or getting there!!!
I know this is now 2 years later. Did you apply for disability? I did in Feb 2022 and finally after 2 denials, I had a phone meeting with a judge plus I had a lawyer (25% or 6000max). I guess I passed because they gave me 100% disability. It was the best thing I could have asked for because I was receiving early retirement benefits (18 months before full retirement). I fought for the disability because the difference was about $400/month. If you filed for disability and haven'y received any compensation yet. Keep on fighting!!! Especially if you are the caregiver for a special needs child. You should be receiving something for that, I hope!!! Hope you are pain free or getting there!!!
Yes, I did apply for disability and was approved for me and my minor son. Thank you for checking in with me. I could not do it without disability since I need medical coverage for both of us and being a single parent with no help. I have had 6 surgeries in the last 4 years and anticipate more (still dealing with chronic pain in cervical and lumbar spine and it is hard to do much).
Yes, I did apply for disability and was approved for me and my minor son. Thank you for checking in with me. I could not do it without disability since I need medical coverage for both of us and being a single parent with no help. I have had 6 surgeries in the last 4 years and anticipate more (still dealing with chronic pain in cervical and lumbar spine and it is hard to do much).
I hate these pain clinics. But, sometimes they do something right.
Attached is something from a person I sat next to a a pain seminar: She had been experiencing a lot of pain for many years.
What a nice surprise to hear from you.
I saw a lot of docs but not as many as most. Trying to think back...Primary care, PA, orthopedist, physiatrist, endocrinologist, podiatrist, physical therapists, orthopedic surgeon finally confirmed it after a bone scan showed my left leg already had remodeling in it, so that coupled with tht bone loss on x-rays and all the other absurd symptoms from the many months earlier clearly made it CRPS. But often it is largely invisible if you're not in an acute flare or early in diagnosis, and there are not tests that conclusively identify for it which makes it even harder to diagnose.
It's basically based on tha patients history, what they express and what the clinician sees during a 20 min visit when symptoms vary tremendously and typically progress throughout the day. So that's a tiny snapshot. Great, huh lol
Are you thinking that the different types of pain you've experienced might be CPRS?
The thing with CRPS is it doesn't feel like any other type of pain really, even added up and like you said, I've experienced quite a few different kinds unfortunately. You certainly have too. With CRPS it's not that necessarily that there's a lot of diff types of pain though definitely lots of diff categories of sensations, or all over, it's how unique it feels. How extreme and intense it is and what influences it symptoms. For ex. your bones feel like they are literally shattered, muscles tearing, bugs crawling over your skin, pins/needles, pulling sensations, deep, deep aching of the bone, extreme sensitivity of the skin where any fabric or stimulus like wind is excruciating. There is a burning sensation the more you use the affected limb(s). It feels like the body part is not your own, like it's an aliens, you sort of disassociate from it in a weird way the most you avoid using it too. And then over time it can spread, and the painful symptoms are fueled by the sympathetic state your nervous system gets stuck in. That's what fuels the swelling, pain etc.
Does and of that sound familiar or like things you've experienced over the course of time?
I've been told I need my left SI joint fused. My pain doctor wants to do it but I think I'd rather have my neurosurgeon do it if I do it at all. The pain does seem to be getting worse and affecting my leg. What is the success rate? I already have an L4-5 fusion that failed and I now live with chronic L5 nerve damage. Thank you for any help.
I've been told I need my left SI joint fused. My pain doctor wants to do it but I think I'd rather have my neurosurgeon do it if I do it at all. The pain does seem to be getting worse and affecting my leg. What is the success rate? I already have an L4-5 fusion that failed and I now live with chronic L5 nerve damage. Thank you for any help.
I've had both my right and left SI joints fused by Dr. Cross at Mayo Rochester. I would say definitely it helped me tremendously. Keep in mind everyone is different, but it truly made a world of difference for me.
I've had both my right and left SI joints fused by Dr. Cross at Mayo Rochester. I would say definitely it helped me tremendously. Keep in mind everyone is different, but it truly made a world of difference for me.
@alexis7 He is an orthopedic trauma surgeon (I believe) who is based in the neurosurgery department. He has an emphasis on SI joint dysfunction and has done a great deal of research on this. He is an excellent surgeon.
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I am sorry you went through such an ordeal and are still suffering the consequences from your doctor’s incompetence. For the last last year, my Sr and I have been trying to get my insurance to approve and a SI joint fusion but they have denied my request twice. I'm beginning to think that these obstacles that I keep running into you, are not coincidences.
55-year-old male needs a L2 L3 L4 L5 to the pelvic Fusion I have questions about how stiff I will be what movement I will lose and how strong I will be afterwards herniated disc between L2 and L3 pushing severely on the nerve causing pain down the left leg hip and degenerative disc disease
I was out walking 6 weeks +1 day after my left total hip replacement (Feb 2022). Doing so well with the recovery. Walking 4-5 miles a day, at home and out patient PT. While out walking on day 1 after 6 weeks my left foot had a slight scuff over a dirt mound and I felt a twinge in my hip. When I got home I took a couple of Tylenol and lots of ice packs. After 48 hours I called the surgeon. At the visit a couple of days later, he said the X-rays looked great!!! He told me to reduce my activity for a couple of weeks. After 4 months of more dr visits, labs, imaging, lots of PT, and chiropractor visits. Finally one spine Dr said the pain and discomfort are signs of SI Joint Dysfunction. We did some diagnostic injections and then later, RF Ablation (which didn't last long) plus the same symptoms I've been experiencing have migrated over to the right side. Ugh!!! So, finely I got another pain specialist and we did SI Joint fusions (4 months apart). We used an Allograft from a company called PainTeq. Not happy with the product. Maybe because of my weight (200lbs) was too much for just the one implant on each side. The Allograft acts more like a pivot point and not a complete fusion. So, once I started to get into my normal activities (bike riding, walking, swimming), I was still experiencing the same discomfort. So, 2 days ago, my new best friend, implanted 3 SI iBone devices in my left SI Joint. Of course I haven't been able to test it, but I do feel less discomfort on the right side. I haven't taken a pain pill since Monday night. Ice is my best friend!!!
I know this is now 2 years later. Did you apply for disability? I did in Feb 2022 and finally after 2 denials, I had a phone meeting with a judge plus I had a lawyer (25% or 6000max). I guess I passed because they gave me 100% disability. It was the best thing I could have asked for because I was receiving early retirement benefits (18 months before full retirement). I fought for the disability because the difference was about $400/month. If you filed for disability and haven'y received any compensation yet. Keep on fighting!!! Especially if you are the caregiver for a special needs child. You should be receiving something for that, I hope!!! Hope you are pain free or getting there!!!
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4 Reactions@j6957d
You are amazing at follow-up! 😉
Yes, I did apply for disability and was approved for me and my minor son. Thank you for checking in with me. I could not do it without disability since I need medical coverage for both of us and being a single parent with no help. I have had 6 surgeries in the last 4 years and anticipate more (still dealing with chronic pain in cervical and lumbar spine and it is hard to do much).
Hope you are well.
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1 ReactionI hate these pain clinics. But, sometimes they do something right.
Attached is something from a person I sat next to a a pain seminar: She had been experiencing a lot of pain for many years.
What a nice surprise to hear from you.
I saw a lot of docs but not as many as most. Trying to think back...Primary care, PA, orthopedist, physiatrist, endocrinologist, podiatrist, physical therapists, orthopedic surgeon finally confirmed it after a bone scan showed my left leg already had remodeling in it, so that coupled with tht bone loss on x-rays and all the other absurd symptoms from the many months earlier clearly made it CRPS. But often it is largely invisible if you're not in an acute flare or early in diagnosis, and there are not tests that conclusively identify for it which makes it even harder to diagnose.
It's basically based on tha patients history, what they express and what the clinician sees during a 20 min visit when symptoms vary tremendously and typically progress throughout the day. So that's a tiny snapshot. Great, huh lol
Are you thinking that the different types of pain you've experienced might be CPRS?
The thing with CRPS is it doesn't feel like any other type of pain really, even added up and like you said, I've experienced quite a few different kinds unfortunately. You certainly have too. With CRPS it's not that necessarily that there's a lot of diff types of pain though definitely lots of diff categories of sensations, or all over, it's how unique it feels. How extreme and intense it is and what influences it symptoms. For ex. your bones feel like they are literally shattered, muscles tearing, bugs crawling over your skin, pins/needles, pulling sensations, deep, deep aching of the bone, extreme sensitivity of the skin where any fabric or stimulus like wind is excruciating. There is a burning sensation the more you use the affected limb(s). It feels like the body part is not your own, like it's an aliens, you sort of disassociate from it in a weird way the most you avoid using it too. And then over time it can spread, and the painful symptoms are fueled by the sympathetic state your nervous system gets stuck in. That's what fuels the swelling, pain etc.
Does and of that sound familiar or like things you've experienced over the course of time?
I know, another thing to think about!!! UGH!!!
I've been told I need my left SI joint fused. My pain doctor wants to do it but I think I'd rather have my neurosurgeon do it if I do it at all. The pain does seem to be getting worse and affecting my leg. What is the success rate? I already have an L4-5 fusion that failed and I now live with chronic L5 nerve damage. Thank you for any help.
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2 ReactionsI've had both my right and left SI joints fused by Dr. Cross at Mayo Rochester. I would say definitely it helped me tremendously. Keep in mind everyone is different, but it truly made a world of difference for me.
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3 Reactions@luamiller
Thank you for your reply. Is Dr.Cross a neurosurgeon, orthopedic, or pain management doctor?
@alexis7 He is an orthopedic trauma surgeon (I believe) who is based in the neurosurgery department. He has an emphasis on SI joint dysfunction and has done a great deal of research on this. He is an excellent surgeon.
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