If you have been dealing with discomfort or debilitating pain caused by an issue with your sacroiliac nerve, your spine specialist will typically try to help treat the problem with a combination of conservative techniques. Physical therapy, weight loss and posture improvements tend to work wonders for many patients, but for a small minority, their SI joint dysfunction doesn’t improve. For these patients, SI joint fusion may be recommended.
During the SI joint fusion procedure, a surgeon inserts tiny hardware into the hip region to stabilize the SI joint and minimize excessive movement that is contributing to pain. For many, the procedure is life changing. In today’s blog, we explore three main benefits and the potential drawbacks of an SI joint fusion procedure.
The Benefits Of SI Joint Fusion
We’re big proponents of the SI joint fusion procedure for the right patient who can’t seem to find relief through conservative methods. That’s because the procedure can be so beneficial for patients who have seen their quality of life decrease due to the discomfort caused by their SI joint issues. Here’s a look at the three biggest benefits of a correctly performed SI joint fusion procedure:
- Long-Term Pain Relief – Unlike medications or a corticosteroid injection that can provide temporary relief, the SI joint fusion procedure provides long-term pain relief. As we mentioned above, the fusion limits the excessive joint movement that is irritating the sciatic nerve and causing your localized or shooting discomfort. You don’t need to wonder if it’s going to be a good or bad day anymore when it comes to your SI joint issues because the procedure helps to provide long-term pain relief.
- Return To Activity – Many people find that they naturally become more sedentary as a result of their SI joint discomfort. Movement is oftentimes painful, so they shy away from activities and become less mobile. Not only is this no way to go through life, but it can also have significant implications for your overall health. Being inactive can contribute to weight gain and other health issues like diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. SI joint fusion ensures you to get back to the activities you love and it can also help you become a healthier version of yourself.
- Improved Quality Of Life – This is kind of a combination of the first two points, but as we mentioned above, SI joint pain can significantly decrease your quality of life. If you’re constantly in pain, less mobile and unable to participate in many of the activities you love, you’re naturally going to see a decrease in your overall independence and quality of life. By stabilizing the joint and limiting painful movement, you can get back to a normal life.
When it comes to drawbacks, there’s really nothing specific other than there is a possibility of complications with the procedure itself, but that’s true for any type of surgery. In rare instances, a patient may deal with tissue damage, blood loss, misplaced hardware or the onset of an infection during or after their procedure, but again these are variables that need to be controlled for during any surgical procedure. These risks aren’t unique to SI joint fusion, and in the vast majority of cases, the benefits far outweigh the potential risks.
For more information about SI joint fusion, or to talk to a spine specialist if you believe that an issue with your SI joint is contributing to your hip or leg pain, reach out to Dr. Jackman and the team at The Midwest Spine & Brain Institute today at (651) 430-3800.
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