People who experience chronic pain in the sacroiliac joint (SI joint) of the spine often have difficulty standing or walking for an extended period of time. The SI joint allows you to perform two of mankind’s most basic functions: stand and walk. Without this joint, you would not be mobile. Since it plays such an important role in our daily lives, having a spine condition that negatively affects this joint can cause an immediate change in the quality of life.
At BEST Health System, we understand the frustration you feel about the limited mobility you experience from your condition. Our minimally invasive SI joint fusion procedure aims to alleviate the pain associated with this condition and treat the condition at its source.
Advantages of BEST Health System
- No lengthy recovery
- Board-certified surgeons, Dr. Girton and Dr. Abbott
- Less than 1-inch incision
- Outpatient procedure
- Less risk of complication
If you are suffering from chronic lower back pain and you have been diagnosed with this condition, please continue reading about our SI joint fusion to decide if this minimally invasive treatment option is right for you.
What is Our Minimally Invasive SI Joint Fusion Procedure?
The SI joint is located at the bottom of your spine. It is responsible for connecting your spine to your pelvis. Specifically, it connects the sacrum to the left and right hip bones. The lumbar spine is immediately above the SI joint. This is why most people often confuse it with lumbar pain. The purpose of this joint is to stabilize the spine and allow it to remain strong and upright when standing, running, or walking. Imagine the SI joint as the base of the spine; it needs to be strong to support all of the vertebrae and discs that make up the spine.
When a spine condition affects the SI joint, daily activities such as walking and standing become extremely painful and difficult. The goal of our minimally invasive joint fusion procedure is to decompress the nerve that is affected in the lower area of the spine and then immediately stabilize the spine to help patients return to their normal daily activities.
During the procedure, the surgeon will enter the SI joint through a small incision in the back. Through this incision, and with the help of special instruments, the surgeon will fuse together the sacrum and the pelvis to stabilize the spine and decompress the affected nerve. We are confident that our SI joint fusion will help you find relief from the chronic lower back pain and limited mobility that you experience with SI joint conditions.
Common Causes of SI Joint Pain
There are several causes of SI joint pain. The best way to determine your cause is to have an MRI taken of your SI joint and lumbar area so we can complete a comprehensive analysis of your spine. The most common causes of pain include:
- Arthritis of the spine
- Spondylitis
- Injury from fall or misstep
- Previous failed lumbar fusion
- Uneven length in legs
- Uneven hip alignment
- Pregnancy
- Other common spine conditions
For a complete analysis of the type of spine condition you have and the severity of the condition, we suggest you schedule an in-person physical examination and MRI review so we can help you determine the best treatment options for your specific needs.
Common Symptoms
The most common symptom treated by our minimally invasive fusion procedure is the pain caused by the SI joint itself. The pain can radiate to surrounding areas such as hips and buttocks. The most common areas where this pain is seen include:
- Tights
- Buttocks
- Pelvis
- Lower back
- Hips
Other symptoms include:
- Difficulty walking or standing
- Limited range of motion
- Stiffness in the lower back
- Pain that increases with sudden movements, such as coughing or sneezing
- Pain that decreases when lying down
Contact us today if you would like to learn more about us or how we may be able to help you.
