Is there any hope is SI joint pain will improve?

Posted by audrey5449 @audrey5449, Dec 3, 2023

I am despondent that the SI joint pain is not going to improve. I have been doing physical therapy and had shots last week. My pain is still severe. Is there options other than shots that will help with the pain? I have not been able to lie in a bed for over two years because to stretch out on my back makes the pain unbearable. Not allowed inside because of kidney disease. I'm not sure if I should limit my activities or if I should push through the pain. Can someone please tell me what to expect and/or what I need to do to help myself.

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Hi audrey,
I had my si joints fused in 2017 and don’t have a single regret. Not one!
It was done by Drs. Osh Tori and Reynolds in Daly City, CA,
And my relief was instant and long lasting. It’s been 6 years now and I’m still pain free at my si joints!

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@bernese53

I have SI joint pain that makes it really difficult to move. I recently had a steroid injection into the SI joint and it has helped reduce the pain considerably.

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I had also tried the belt. It was helpful but was a bugger to put on and wear.

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My husband fell flat on his back a year ago. Both SI joints were damaged. He has had severe pain ever since. Due to liver disease he cannot have surgery to stabilize the joints so he found a pain management doctor who will do nerve ablation. Has anyone had this for SI and did it reduce or eliminate the pain?

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@thisoldewe

Hi audrey5449
As I read your post, I am lying on my bed on an ice pack. I have 3 that I can rotate.
I find relief by lying on my back with my legs elevated.
Of course, we have to find what works for each person.
I smashed my S.I joint and fractured my sacrum in violent incident with a violent patient 30 years ago! Hazards if being a nurse!
Now I have arthritis in the joint I have been wondering the same thing as yourself... "is it possible to regain normal function? And what will help as the joint worsens?"
Now on top of everything else I have, it is a real discouragement.
The exercises I learned many years ago, are still the same, and I do those.. but not during a flare. This is the first flare in over 2 years, and it has been a 'dosey.' Had the shot 10 days ago but now it seems I have reached the level of benefit its going to give this time.
So thank you for your question, I am interested in the various answers.
My specialist was surprisingly silent on the issue, which is ominous. 😮
I'd like to squeeze in a bottle of Krazy glue to hold things together!
So I am sending my best to you; may you find some relief especially at this time of year.
Hope we willsee some possible help from our Connect Buddies!
(I'm off to get another ice pack)

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I have degenerating lower back, hypermobility so hip and sacrum do not stay in place. I used to go to the chiropractor to get realigned after getting the shot. Ice/heat and proper shoes helped. However, last trip to PT showed me about Piriformis Syndrome. There are stretches for that long muscle (look it up online) that you can do just in time and usually I am good. I also do basic yoga cat/cow/child/cobra moves and clamshells. The more strength you can maintain in surrounding muscles, the better off you are. Dr Mark Tarnopolsky has run many robust studies that recommend PT. This is not like flu, where rest helps: it does not improve this sort of pain. Online, I like Dr Jo, Two Guys for suggestions, but PT is a good place to get educated. Water exercise is also good for flexibility and is painfree.

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I got a spring bed with a 3", 3lb density topper. I lie with a pillow between my knees if I am on my side or under my knees if on my back. Cold pack or microwaveable warm pack help; KT tape (see demo on you tube), lidocaine patches offer brief relief. I do sleep yoga moves before heading to bed.

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@gently

I see chiropractors for the SI joint. It is a simple quick adjustment with immediate relief. It doesn't last.
But, when your SI joint is out of it's groove it pinches the myriad nerves in the low back. It throws your whole body from levity, because then one leg is shorter.
My challengeable opinion is that when you push your self with this imbalance you are training your muscles to hold the pattern.
There are newer small devices to fuse the SI joint, which I wouldn't advise.
Once the joint is returned to it's normal groove, there are exercises to rehabilitate the ligaments and strenghthen the muscles.
Some PTs have a special training to do the intensity 5 thrust adjustment, but they don't do them often and I've never had a good SI adjustment from physcial therapy. They also are not great at recognizing the dislocation because no matter how great your pain the that dislocation is very small.
I've not had a bad SI from a chiropractor. But some are better than others.
It is such small things that can ruin our lives.
Best wishes

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Thank you so much for your response. So much I wasn't aware of. I have even notice difference when I would change shoes there could be significant worsening of pain. Yes it is a shame that Little things can ruin our lives, and that people overlook little things that have the ability to make such a drastic difference in our lives.

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@marye2

I have degenerating lower back, hypermobility so hip and sacrum do not stay in place. I used to go to the chiropractor to get realigned after getting the shot. Ice/heat and proper shoes helped. However, last trip to PT showed me about Piriformis Syndrome. There are stretches for that long muscle (look it up online) that you can do just in time and usually I am good. I also do basic yoga cat/cow/child/cobra moves and clamshells. The more strength you can maintain in surrounding muscles, the better off you are. Dr Mark Tarnopolsky has run many robust studies that recommend PT. This is not like flu, where rest helps: it does not improve this sort of pain. Online, I like Dr Jo, Two Guys for suggestions, but PT is a good place to get educated. Water exercise is also good for flexibility and is painfree.

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Thank you so much for your response. I will definitely investigate all the many ideas you gave me. I am all for improving myself without drugs or surgery as much as I can. I had wondered about chiropractors and if that would help. Thank you again for responding.

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@marye2

I got a spring bed with a 3", 3lb density topper. I lie with a pillow between my knees if I am on my side or under my knees if on my back. Cold pack or microwaveable warm pack help; KT tape (see demo on you tube), lidocaine patches offer brief relief. I do sleep yoga moves before heading to bed.

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Thank you for your response. I will look into those ideas. It is so heartwarming to know there are things I can do myself to get some relief. Thank you again for taking the time to respond.

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Thanks all for your suggestions. I have ordered my Sacro loc belt. My doc says that this may not help, but is worth a try. Expensive but anything worthwhile usually is. A rather unusual Christmas present!
I'll let you know. Thanks again!

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@queenie2030

My husband fell flat on his back a year ago. Both SI joints were damaged. He has had severe pain ever since. Due to liver disease he cannot have surgery to stabilize the joints so he found a pain management doctor who will do nerve ablation. Has anyone had this for SI and did it reduce or eliminate the pain?

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I had the "genticular" nerve ablation and it really has helped. I just had it done a few weeks ago, but am hopeful it will last several months or a year. I also think that interrupting the pain cycle, doing PT stretches can help long term. I can say at this point that it is much better than the steroid shots.

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