SI joint fusion surgery

Hi All,

I have had SI joint problems for the past 14 years which have been treated conservatively. Been there and done that, over and over. I have often thought about the surgery possibility, but no doc has ever suggested this. I am 67 and my bones are osteopenia.

Has anyone out there had this surgery or i-fuse and if so, how did it go? How old were you? State of bones??? etc.

Would appreciate any response.

Lumiere

I would agree with Vickie on this, Fusions are hard enough for the young generation, but at your age and you having a disease of the bones that' makes you a more complicated case and probably why no one has suggested surgery. A surgeon would have to fuse the hardware they place in you with your existing bones and if they are bad it wouldn't help and could make you worse.

You could probably ask for a consultation from a surgeon, but, I do not think a reputible one would consider this type surgery for you, plus your looking at a 1year to a 1 1/2 recovery for a person with a normal bone structure.

Plus there is the saying once surgery always surgery, which is true, unfortunately even for those that have had what's considered a successful surgery.

It's heck if you do and heck if you don't type situation and you really gotta consider everything...However, if your wanting to see a good neurosurgeon then one of your specialists might be able to point you in the right direction.

I was told this past May that they could do surgery on me, but it would mean all the bells and whistles of hardware and I said no, the pain I have is consider function on my medications.

Have you possibly considered a switch in your medications or asked your doctor about a different medication?? Maybe try asking for another medications.

So very sorry for what your going through and I wish I could help you with your pain...

Many well wishes and prayers and I hope this information helps...just trying to help out...I know it's hard. Very hard.

hey there...I had an L5/S1 fusion when I was 38 yrs old. My bones were like "cement" per my neurosurgeon. It literally took 3 years to be half way normal and I was on medication for 3 years. Honestly, it wasn't until I declared healing through faith that my pain subsided. I cried myself to sleep for approx 6 mo bc I chose not to take the pain meds. My dr told my husband that by the time I was 50, I would be fused up to my neck. I don't receive that and I won't have another back surgery. I would try to live with the pain or see a pain management dr. There are many options out there, but none of them worked for me. (steroid shots, spinal stimulator (two trials-epic fail) pain meds, morphine drip (allergic to morphine), and one other. I can't remember what the procedure was called, but the medicine made you crazy! I'll pray for you. That's what I suggest.

Yes. Just went on fosamax. Also take all the usual calcium vit d etc. I have excellent docs on top of everything.

I am interested in this I fuse method. They put in stabilizers but it is probably too risky. I have already had a tip top neurosurgeon tell me no surgery. Just thought this less invasive method might be the miracle. Do the sacral joints e Dr fuse with age.? Maybe I am moving in the right direction. Rest assured I am just asking questions and gathering information.

Thank you all for your great insight and knowledge

Lumiere

Hey Mike, you have posted on an older thread & we have not heard from this member in quite some time. Vickie has started you a new thread, so we will continue on your new thread. I will lock this thread so others will not post here. Thanks.