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Scheduled for a Bilateral SI Joint fusion here in 3 weeks. Thoughts?
I am scheduled to have a bilateral SI joint fusion here in 3 weeks. Dr. William Cross III will be performing this operation at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. So far he has been the most kind and thorough surgeon I have seen in regards to this issue. I had a L5-S1 lumbar fusion earlier this year and they think that is the culprit. I would love to hear from others that have had this surgery done by Dr. Cross and what were your results and recovery like? I am in so much pain right now! I am hoping to get my life back. Thanks to anyone who responds.
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I'm sure Cross is good, but the more you fuse, the more you create problems at other levels.
I would look into Prolotherapy , which can strengthen the ligaments that stacilize the SI Joint,
without deccreasing mobility.
Best,
Doug
Good luck! SI fusion is of interest to me as it has been recommended but no one explains it well and what might be the consequences
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2 Reactions@neonc82 I am a Mayo cervical spine surgery patient, and don't have experience in lumbar surgeries. I do know someone who had an SI joint fusion and who has been in pain since that. Once done, it can't be undone. I agree that Mayo surgeons are wonderful, and I don't know what your outcome will be, but I wanted to share this article about how pelvis misalignment problems can mimic lumbar spine problems.
https://mskneurology.com/identify-treat-lumbar-plexus-compression-syndrome-lpcs/I have a pelvis that easily slips out of alignment, and at one time, I was wearing a belt that supported the SI joint. Physical therapy has been able to help maintain things in correct pelvis and spine alignment, and I know how to reset my pelvis from training from my PT. I have some issues with facial tightness that extend from my neck (from thoracic outlet syndrome) through my rib cage and to the pelvis, and it can pull my left "Hip Bone" forward, or twist the pelvis. Riding my horse at a walk helps my core strength and back strength a lot, and I maintain much better posture and support my spine better because of this.
I have done a lot of myofascial release with my PT to release the tight tissue bands through my body that affect alignment with success. My PT thought that therapy and MFR work, as well as exercise, was a much better option for me. Perhaps this article can explain some issues and open some dialog with your surgeon. Sometimes it is hard to know how surgery can help when you have not had the experience of it before, and you will be adding that to a prior fusion. From the online spine surgeons at a conference that I have watched, they say that L5S1 is a difficult place to fuse the spine because of all the pressure of most of your body weight focusing in that area. You could have surgical scar tissue near there that may cause pain. MFR therapy can stretch out tight scar tissue. I have done this for my surgical scar and it helps. This is our MFR discussion. Perhaps that may be something to consider a bit further down the road, and not during the scar healing phase after surgery.
— Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) for treating compression and pain:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/
Did your surgeon discuss with you why he thinks this surgery will benefit you? Did he also discuss any other possible causes for your pain?
I received Protein Rich Plasma (PRP) treatment to my left SI supporting ligaments. It took 2 rounds but it totally fixed my problem, along with PT.