SI long term pain.

[beverley123]

Does anybody know if they fuse the SI joints here in the UK. I have been suffering such a long time & missing out chunks of my life as I am so I'll with it. Does it effect your flexibility if you do get it done & that is the criteria to get on the waiting list? thanks

[earthwitch]

Haven't heard of it being done for pain. What I do know is that fusing won't necessarily relieve pain from inflammation. Is there any possibility this is inflammatory, because if it is, you should be seeing a rheumatologist as it can be treated.

[beverley123 in reply to earthwitch]

That's interesting. I may ask as I don't really know the reason it keeps flaring up. It's really getting me down.

[deejames]

I'm seeing a surgeon on Wed to discuss minimally invasive SI joint stabilisation. Rods are inserted hold the joints in place

[Juls0607 in reply to deejames]

Good luck with your consultation , I think I replied to one of your posts

[deejames in reply to Juls0607]

Thanks juls. Quite anxious to be honest

[Bananas5]

I've had painful SI joints for years apparently caused by posture. Can't change my posture so referred to physio.

She gave me some exercises but as I couldn't alter my posture these didn't really help..

Then...acupuncure. Bingo. Magic. Just 3 sessions and pain gone completely. That was 2 years ago but pain back again now. So hopefully another few sessions and will be OK for another few years.

Alternative therapy is always worth considering.

x

[beverley123 in reply to Bananas5]

Well I have so far tried , massage,reflexology, ,Physio & acupunture. I think the injections have broken up the long flare ups but I don't want to rely on them as I don't think you can have too many. I have been on medication for years which obviously have side effects. Not an easy medical condition to treat when it is long term.

[Bananas5 in reply to beverley123]

That;s why it is called Chronic!

All any of us can do is find the cocktail that works best and learnhow to manage our pain. Pacing yourself is aalways the place to start. That;s where the flair ups comee from. Over doing things.

To be completely pain free involves sitting in the chair like a zombie for the rest of your life and no one wants that.

Somewhere amongst all the drugs and herapies is a level you can control.

x

[Toplady]

They will fuse the joint if your pain is bad. I was told by my orthopaedic consultant that mine requires fusing but since then I've been diagnosed with severe osteoporosis so he won't consider doing it until my bone density improves. However, Earthwitch is correct also, I've now been referred to a rheumatologist as they now think it's inflammatory based so if that's true, the surgeon has said that he won't ever consider pinning the joint as it won't help! Best to get it checked out thoroughly so you know what you're dealing with so you can make an informed decision. Best of luck x

[victoria1000]

My friend had it done and regrets letting anyone near her spine.

She now takes citrate Magnesium 400mg daily and see an osteopath when she is in a lot of pain. I find my tens machine brilliant and I dont take any Dairy just like my friend A I take Magnesium.

My advice would be to read all Doctors research and alternative treatments and Google Magnesium update

[beverley123]

That's what scares me. I could have it done & then be in a far worse situation.

[Bananas5 in reply to beverley123]

My advice would be to speak to your GP or surgeon. Find out what the risks etc are. Ask their opinion and make your own choice from all that info. It could easily be just as successful!

x

[Juls0607]

Hi , I had an S I joint fusion in November , I had. Something called the Diana technique it is quite an invasive procedure how ever I am doing much better now I've had it done . There are other less invasive procedures called I fuse and S lock I was unable to have there procedures as my health care plan did not cover them so I had to have the bigger procedure , recovery is slow ,non weight baring for 6 weeks . For me it's been worth it I still have some days with pain but know where near as much as I did before . I was lucky to have mine privately so not sure about waiting lists on the NHS , I was told by mu consultant , if I had to go on his NHS waiting list I would have probably waited around 6/7 months and that was as an urgent case . For me it has been worth it , I hope this helps a little bit , I also did some research on the Internet good luck . J

[Chawner]

Before i had crps i was a trainer and i used to train a guy that had had the fusing done in his back and yes the flexabity wasnt as good but it just meant he learned how to compensate . The only thing he couldn't do was a slow curling sit up. But that dosnt matter. He told me it had been done to help with the pain and after there wasno pain because the joint couldn't move to give him pain. He didnt run but used all the other cardio equipment.

It can only be an improvement for you at this point i think.

Good luck

[beverley123 in reply to Chawner]

That's very helpful. I think I will ask the GP about it as I am seeing her anyway to discuss the injections.

[Hidden]

had si joint pain for over a year now physio was rubbish im left now with numbness and tingling in both feet toes leg spasms get a si joint belt they really do help with everyday

[beverley123]

Guys I need some feedback here please. I asked about surgery when I went in for my injection & she looked shocked. She said I would get disabled & loose my job & have a scar. I asked about the Diana methord & she said there is no clinical proof that it works. It looks like they have it in other countries though as I have been researching it. I then asked about the pain implant made by Jude Medical. She said you don't want that you will get early atheritus. I have a clinic here full of people that have had surgery. What makes it worse is I have to see the physio next week to check I am using the tens machine properly & to show me some exercises! I have had a tens for 9 years & seen at least five Physios over the years. The cynic in me thinks I have been told this because of money. I don't know why I can't see an SI specialist then he can say yes or no. 😕

[Hidden]

Have you got pins and needles in your feet and toes and si pain in your hip ??

[beverley123]

I always have pins & needles. my pain is where the SI joints are & it inflames the sacrum so it hurts to sit down.

[Hidden]

Please go slow with this. Read as much as you can. Many people end up much worse!

[morphalot]

I've had a decompression of the spine, then a fusion of L4/L5. I had a lot of pain in my SI joints. I was then referred to St Thomas in London, to have a neuromodulator put next to my spine. The left SI joint became pain free (but is now coming back after a year), and my lower back felt better, but by no means painfree. It has allowed me to come off some of the tablets though, which means I'm not quite so sleepy all the time. It's definitely worth looking at. You also do a course which helps you to deal with chronic pain, which was very useful.