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Has anyone had SI joint pain following a lumbar fusion?

Posted by denman55 @denman55, Aug 19, 2024

I had an L3-4-5 lumbar fusion in May. 3-months post op I began to have hip pain. After meeting with my Neurosurgeon, he informed me that what I am experiencing is SI joint pain. I also have lower back pain, and groin pain. This pain is horrible. My Neurosurgeon has referred me to a Pain Management physician to get SI joint injections. Has anyone ever experienced pain like this following a fusion?

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JackieGrudz | @jackiegrudz | Feb 10 9:30am

My mother just had the L3-L4-L5 fused and 6 weeks into it now having SI Joint pain. Says worse than the fusion pain. Going for shots hoping it helps her. What has worked for you, if anything for relief? She is 84 and not very mobile at this time. Txs

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linda6101 | @linda6101 | Feb 10 11:37am
In reply to @jackiegrudz "My mother just had the L3-L4-L5 fused and 6 weeks into it now having SI Joint..." + (show)
Profile picture for JackieGrudz @jackiegrudz

My mother just had the L3-L4-L5 fused and 6 weeks into it now having SI Joint pain. Says worse than the fusion pain. Going for shots hoping it helps her. What has worked for you, if anything for relief? She is 84 and not very mobile at this time. Txs

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Did the doctors tell your mother that there’s at least a 6 month recovery, followed by long physical therapy. I had a fusion of L5-S1 eleven years ago. The post surgery pain made my back worse to this day. Maybe it depends on the doctor and hospital. I went to an orthopedic surgeon but not an orthopedic hospital. Since then, I have a pain specialist at Rush Orthopedics in Chicago. I now have degenerative disc disease. My spine doctor wanted to fuse L2-L3-L4. Three other doctors at Rush said not to do it. It would take away bending far and make it worse. I wish the best to your mom and hope that this pain subsides. I didn’t have any luck and live on pain killers. I live alone and cannot do some of the activities that I use to do. I will pray for her and hope her surgery relieves her pain in the future.❤️

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calofmichigan | @calofmichigan | Feb 11 12:49pm
In reply to @rockpir "L4&5 fusion in 2015 and did fairly well overall.Was able to walk,ski and pretty much do..." + (show)
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L4&5 fusion in 2015 and did fairly well overall.Was able to walk,ski and pretty much do everything until fall of 2025.Vacation in late September I walked 6mi a couple of times.Suddenly I was experiencing stability problems and mobility loss. Although I was still able to walk it was only a couple of miles.Neurosurgeon wanted to fuse s1&l5 and l4.At 86 yrs old didn’t want to do that.Was supposed to get joint injections to see if it was sacroilitis but developed bronchitis and had to delay the procedure.Can appreciate what everyone is experiencing.

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@rockpir
Ugh. I can’t imagine going through that kind of pain again in my 80s (referring to another surgery.)

I’m 73 and hoping to swear off any major surgery from now on. Each one (for me) has been more difficult than the last. I’ve had five back surgeries since 2019. No more if I can help it.

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zekeman1947 | @zekeman1947 | Feb 12 12:18pm

Had L3 L4 fusion in late Oct ‘25 and now getting SI joint pain with PT. Have an appointment with my pain doc next week to see about injections or what his recommendation will be.

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