What is a Sacroiliac joint and what is a SI Fusion?
The sacroiliac joints are the foundation of the spine, located at the junctions of the sacrum and ilium on each side. They have joints, ligaments, and several joint surfaces that transmit the force through the spine from the upper body to the legs, essentially like a shock absorber. SI joint pain and instability can be from arthritis, lower back instability or prior lumbar surgery, loose ligaments from pregnancy, or prior injury/accident. Common symptoms are lower back or buttock pain, hip/groin pain, lower extremity pain, and painful sitting, sleeping, or walking. When conservative measures are no longer helpful or long-lasting, SI fusion is considered. SI fusion is when the doctor places two titanium implants on the side of the hip across the SI joint, which creates joint stability and allows the bones to fuse.
How is the procedure performed?
After your symptoms and imaging confirm that you are a candidate for this procedure, Dr. Esposito will perform this at a local surgery center with anesthesia. You will be lying flat on your belly during this procedure. The procedure takes approximately 45 minutes.
Will the procedure hurt?
You may feel some soreness after the procedure. An ice pack can help relieve this, pain medications can be prescribed if needed, Tylenol is also ok, but we ask you not to use NSIADS or anything in the Ibuprofen family for 6 weeks from the day of surgery.
How is the recovery?
The first week after the procedure you will be asked to keep the incision site clean and dry, we often have home health check your incision on the first week. You will follow up in the office on week two to check your progress and dressing. We do recommend you avoid bending, lifting, and twisting for 4 weeks. Activity should be tolerably increased over 7 days and should consist of short walks at first and a gradual return to normal daily activities. If your job is sedentary then work can be resumed in 7 days. At 6 weeks after the procedure, full physical therapy can be resumed. Most people take 2-3 weeks to get back to their daily routine.
What are the risks and side effects?
Serious side effects and complications are rare, such as infection, bleeding, nerve injury, remodeling of adjacent anatomy, including bony structures or soft tissues during or after surgery.
These complications are minimized by stopping blood thinners, obtaining preoperative studies, using sterile technique, and fluoroscopy for procedure guidance.
If you have any concerns about your incision site, call our office and speak to a clinical staff member. An office visit may be needed to assess these concerns.
