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sacroiliac joint pain

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Posted 11/1/2012 11:01 PM (GMT 0)
I have had really debilitating pain for about 18 months which was thought to be the sciatic nerve due to a bulging disc. After countless epidurals, painful therapy's and seeking from one doctor to the next I am faced with yet another possibility...sacroiliac joint dysfunction. So begins a new topic and some new tests to see what I can possibly get relief from. First and foremost, lidocaine with a steriod injection. Anyone out there have any of this done and if so, what were your results? I am really tired of being poked lol.
Posted 11/2/2012 11:14 AM (GMT 0)
Sacral pain. I feel you there. Having a bout with it myself. Mine usually just flares up from time to time, usually when I try to overdo my stretching exercises or the weather changes. Like around this time of year. Probably not to your extent, but my sacral vertebrae are malformed and just don't line up right. Part of my scoliosis. I wasn't offered the injections for mine, but I wouldn't think they would be all that different from lumbar punctures. Basically the same procedure, different part of the back, smaller vertebrae as you go further down.

Something else you may want to bring up to your doc, the last 4-6 sacral joints (toward the tailbone) are supposed to be fused together by age 35 or so under normal circumstances. That also does not happen to those really bendy people like contortionists. There may be a surgical option there for stabilization if you just have one that's not set right. I'm normally not an advocate of back surgery unless it's an emergency to save the spinal cord or major nerves, (seen too many cause more harm than good) or there's a growing tumor for life saving reasons, but if they are supposed to be fused together naturally, and they aren't for whatever reason, that may make a good case for surgical intervention, depending on where the problem is, and if they can stabilize it properly.

Either way, get pincushioned a few more times, and who knows? You may get some good results from it. It's not unheard of for doctors to be looking in the wrong place for something, and treating the wrong thing for it.
Posted 11/2/2012 5:59 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there

Yes, I have had many injections for sacroiliac pain. First was the lidocaine and steroid injections. They tend to do up to three, if you get any relief from that, they may try RFA, a procedure which heats up the nerves, basically to stop them sending pain signals to the brain.

The sacriliac injections I had were done under sedation, although many people have them without. You are lying on your front, they numb the skin with a local anaesthetic, the do the injections. The RFA, radio frequency ablation, is usually done with sedation as the procedure takes a lot longer and requires you to lie very still. With the steroid injections, you can expect some pain immediately after, and should then see results. The RFA is altogether more painful, you feel as though you have been kicked in the butt. Ideally you should get months or even years of relief from that, and it can be repeated.

Unfortunately nothing worked for me and I had to have both my SI joints fused. Please don't be discouraged by that though, most people get some relief from the injections and/or RFA. However if they don't work, surgery is an option. If you need or want more info re surgery or want to ask me anything about SI joint problems, feel free to ask. I feel for you, constant SI joint pain is hard to live with. I know for me standing, sitting, walking all hurt. Give the injections a go, hopefully they will offer you some relief. The only other thing I can suggest is TENS, I found it helped a little too. Anything is worth a try!

Good luck, let us know how you get on.

Jane
Posted 11/2/2012 7:01 PM (GMT 0)
I maybe should have stated that I've had 3 rounds of lumbar injections (That's what I get for typing on my first cup of coffee), and the procedure that FusionGirl outlined for the steroid injections is basically the same, and I had IV sedation for the procedure itself too. The only difference in the procedure between the lumbar and sacral is the sacral vertebrae and disks are smaller/shaped differently. The medication goes in between the vertebrae and the disk, or even into the disk itself, depending on the desired result. Even if you are sedated, they put a long acting local in there to try to provide immediate relief and minimize the pain of the procedure once you are brought back around. If you are really apprehensive, you can ask to be put completely under, instead of just sedated, and you just wake up in the recovery room with a sore spot once it's over. That is usually pressure from the fluids being injected into a tight spot (there isn't much room between the vertebrae and disk) that have not been absorbed yet, and the actual punctures themselves.

Apologies if I wasn't clear enough.
Posted 11/5/2012 12:18 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Livingcolor and Fusiongirl!

I totally appreciate the info. I have had 6 steriod injections to my L5 disc but it didn't relieve any of the pain AT ALL. Therefore I keep insisting on investigating why I still have pain and if not there, where? So I went to an ortho who referred me to an ortho-surgeon and here is where I am at. I am told that they are finding that the pain I am experiencing, they believe is from the si joint. So based on your info I am going to take the chance and do it. I am told they do it in the office and that they numb the spot but I am a "chicken" and I'm afraid of it being extremely painful. But maybe not as painful as what I am going thru as it is, no? My real question fusiongirl is how did the fusion surgery work out for you?

Thank you so much both of you. I appreciate your input and hope you both feel better.
Posted 11/5/2012 3:38 PM (GMT 0)
I was in a car accident in November 2004 and tore my SI ligaments. The pain was intense -- a burning spear that nothing seemed to help.

At PT, I would get routine adjustments to help realign the joint -- maybe modest help there. But then I had an injection into my SI (under a fluoroscope). That made a huge difference!

After recovering from the injection itself, the pain dissipated and has never been as bad since. Perhaps 98% of the time, I don't have SI pain any longer.
Posted 11/5/2012 7:07 PM (GMT 0)
wow Cogito! That sounds like you have had success with the steroid injection. I am gonna do it, tomorrow God willing. I am so over this pain and over the fact that its controlling my life. I assume that I should also do some type of physical therapy? I consider my pain to be (on a scale from 1-10, 10 being the worst) a 9 and a 10 in some instances. It is excrutiating to the point that I don't want to participate in anything. I feel like an oger sometimes lol. Thanks for the info I truly appreciate it.
Posted 11/6/2012 8:50 PM (GMT 0)
Well to all of you who rooted me on and gave me such great and useful advice, I did it! I am feeling no pain at the time but I was told that it may change and I would need a second injection. I am floored that for the first time in a year and a half I am pain-less. I hope this does the trick. Thank you to you guys who took the time to give me information that would help me in making this decision. I will pay it forward :) Tale care and live well. Many Blessings to you all and this will not be the last on my post.
Posted 11/6/2012 10:20 PM (GMT 0)
That is the best possible news you could tell us. Congrats! Now stay on top of it. Like you said, you may need more than one, it may come and go, but a direct shot showing relief of pain to that extent, even if does return, gives them something specific to work with.

LC
Posted 12/26/2012 2:17 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Everyone! Sorry I am not too knowledgeable in this forum and chat site so I read and learn but not sure where to input my comments so I found this spot where I had posted something before. I had my injections for the si joint but they did nothing for me. Now after a month or so after the last injection I am worse off cuz its (pain) traveling up my back and apparently affecting the whole frame of my body. Is this anyone elses experience? I am so scared but think the si joint fusion will help but the fact that i will be useless for 6 weeks is mind boggling. If anyone has any words of comfort in this area, I welcome the thoughts and comments. Thank you! And if I don't seem to answer its not because I don't want to its more like I don't know how to find the comments. lol
Posted 12/29/2012 3:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there

Sorry for not answering your post sooner, although I am immobile just now there has still been a lot going on and I am able just to snatch a few minutes here and there to get on here but I have been thinking of you.

The fact that you did have relief, however short lived it was, from the injections tellsme that your problems definitely seem to be from the SI joint. Once you have exhausted all the conservative treatments such as physiotherapy, injections etc, then all that is left is to live with it or consider surgery. I know that sounds blunt but that is as it is. The problem with the SI joints is that nothing shows up on x-ray or MRI so you have to be sure that your ortho surgeon has done all the stretch tests etc to confirm the diagnosis. Your positive result from the injections is further confirmation that the problem lies there.

So the decision whether or not to have surgery lies totally with you. I won't lie and say that it's easy or plain sailing because its not. However, I can say that it was a walk in the park compared to spinal fusion I had. Yes, there is some pain post op but honestly, it want bad at all. I was posting here the day after my surgery!! I am in the middle of my six weeks non weight bearing. For me that is hard becaus I have an arthritic knee which won't hold my weight so getting around on crutches is impossible most of the time. I rely on a wheelchair and a commode. However lately, I have been managing on my crutches for a few minutes. For you that part might be much easier.

Here in the UK they use the DIANA method of fusion which requires the period of non weight bearing. However I do believe that in the US they use I-fuse, which is not licensed here in the UK. From what I can gather I-fuse requires little, if any, downtime - no non weight bearing. From what I have read patients are often only in hospital overnight. If you google I-fuse SI fusion you will be able to read more about it. I don't know what the difference is compared to the op I had, or why the UK won't use it.

You need to speak to your surgeon, ask lots of questions. Unfortunately it is common to have problems in both sides, maybe that is why you are feeling so much pain. Six weeks sound like a long time but it isn't really. And if the op rids you of your pain then the six weeks downtime is worth it. Just an afterthought, my symptoms included pain over the SI joint in both sides, extreme pain on sitting, inability to stand without pain, pain traveling down my legs etc. Does that sound similar to what you are experiencing?

The decision to have surgery is never easy, but if you have tried absolutely everything else and living with it scares you ( I know it did me), then surgery is the next step. As long as you are sure you have a good certified surgeon, who has done everything he can to diagnose you, then surgery is probably your only other option.

If you want I will give you my e-mail. I am here for you and will answer any questions you have. I really hope you manage to work things out with your surgeon and together can make a plan re the next step.

Take care, I'll be thinking of you

Jane
Posted 1/12/2013 4:58 AM (GMT 0)
Hey there Fusiongirl!
I hope you are feeling well. Thank you so much for writing back and giving me so much information. I do appreciate it. I have decided to have the surgery since I am at my wits end. Jan 15 is my day and I have been trying to get my house in order so my family is not inconvenienced. I really cant wait but at the same time I am scared. I have the love and the support from my family. I trust this is Gods will for me. Please keep me in your prayers and I will get back on when I am able to...blessings!
Posted 1/12/2013 5:02 AM (GMT 0)
P.s. Fusiongirl...what do they mean when they say "non-weight bearing" ?
Posted 1/12/2013 3:33 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there

I had been thinking of you so was very pleased to see your post. However I am really sorry that it has come to surgery for you. It's always very daunting but I hope it will be worthwhile for you. Your surgeon must think its the right thing for you otherwise he wouldn't be doing it.

Do you know the method he is using? That will affect your post op instructions. I know there is a method used in the US where there is no non weight bearing at all. Non weight bearing means not putting any wright through the operation side of your body. Imagine broken leg and crutches!! The method used here involves six weeks of non weight bearing. Also sitting is limited in the early stages too, building up to an hour at one time for the first six weeks. No twisting, lifting anything heavier than a kettle. Standing can be a bit painful too, you just have to be ready to sit down, or lie down lots.

Don't be scared, you will be fine make sure before the op that you are written up for pain meds so they are there for when you need them. I had PCA for the first twenty four hours. I can honestly say that after the first week or so the pain wasn't bad at all.

I will put my e mail address in my profile, just click on fusiongirl and you will see it. Feel free to e mail me if there is anything at all you want to ask. I will be thinking of you. Please let me know how you are as soon as you are able. I hope everything goes well, I'm sure it will.

(((hugs)))

Jane
Posted 1/13/2013 1:00 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Jane!! Yes that sound like what the doctor said, about six weeks non-weight bearing, just wasn't sure what the limitations were. Thanks for all your help and advice. I will be back as soon as I can get on the computer. Be well!
Posted 3/23/2013 5:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone i am new here and i wish i can get some help from anyone here. i really dont know what i have and seems that my doctors also dont. 3 months ago (dec 2012) i lift a very heavy weight at work and i know i did it wrong. during the first 2 months my back hurt a lot that i was unable to rest my back on any type of chairs. i went ER and took x rays and MRI wich came out clean so my doctor told me i had nothing and send me home. Now i can tell my back isnt in spasms anymore maybe the torn muscules are heal or something but something is still wrong at the very low spine where the sacrum is. i feel pain with some movements like bending forward (sometimes) and my pain goes also into my right buttock and little down to the hip area. Not more down than that. (its only one leg)
my question is... is this how sacroiliitis feels like? Cuz doctors dont tell me anything and i have noticed that that they keep giving me celebrex, arcoxia and all those type of drugs for RA and so. Please somebody tell whats going on. i am only 21.
I never felt the symptoms before the heavy lift thing.
Posted 6/25/2014 8:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all. Just be surfing the Web and found this site and decided to join due to the honest advice given by arthritis suffering people. I have A.S. Properly diagnosed when I was 21 I am now 37. I have planta fasiatous when.I was 17 and this excelerated the a.s. I was very skilled at sports but with poor stamina. I have been through all the drugs available in the uk. And I am now going back on another anti tnf to see if it works. My pain has been all over my toes are fused my knee,lower and upper back sore. At times when.I sneeze I am crippled. I find being on.my feet most of the day a great relief as sitting ( as you are aware) is crippling. However I have just been.informed that my sacroiliac joint is fusing and I am going for my first steroid injection directly into the joint instead of a general steroid into the buttock. I have found the responses excellent in this forum. All.in all we just have to get on with it but it is hell at times and the fatigue element can.cause irritation and.make me a bit over sensitive. By reading the answers my conclusion is that it'sa real.mixed bag how much pain you find after the S. I. Fusion. There is so many people out there who don't know what is wrong with them I hope they find this forum.

"be focused be happy"
Posted 10/4/2014 10:33 AM (GMT 0)
Hi there, I'm new to this forum, I've been diagnosed with a sacrilliac problem from my physio, she was the only one out of all the docs, Mri scans, dye tests, injections and tablets that I've gone through, to tell me what my problem was, ive been in pain for 3years and 10mths, I'm pretty darn sick of it now, I'm waiting to see yet another consultant ( he's off sick for a mth) been put on a waiting list till then. Can any one suggest any one I can see that would properly diagnose me, other then my physist, I live on the Isle of Wight and it's hard to find help! I'd appreciate any help. Thanks

Post Edited (Supernatural72) : 10/4/2014 4:53:49 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/4/2014 11:50 AM (GMT 0)
Hi supernatural - welcome to the board.

This is an older thread and one of the mods will probably come by and lock it. Do a search through the forum for sacrioiliac pain.

Also it would be nice to get to know you through an intro post! Take care.
Posted 10/4/2014 6:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Supernatural & welcome to the forum. You have posted on an older thread & not many people will see your post here.

We do ask all new members to make an intro post so that all members will see it & be able to say hello & welcome aboard. To start an intro post look to the left & click Post New Topic, type in a heading & type your intro.

We do have a great search feature located at the top towards the right. If you will type in your condition there you will be able to review older posts about it. We do ask that you not post on those older threads as we like to keep those off of the main page. If you have questions post those in your intro thread & more people will see them.

Thanks.
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