Can Surgery Solve Your SI Joint Pain?

Low back pain is a common condition experienced by 1 in 5 adults. For some individuals, pain is a temporary issue. Other people can experience severe, chronic pain, which impacts daily activities. Tests by a doctor or spinal specialist may reveal an underlying problem with the sacroiliac (SI) joint. If conservative treatment fails, SI fusion is the best course of action. Spinal procedures are delicate and require extensive downtime. However, an outpatient procedure may be the solution to treat sacroiliac joint pain quickly and effectively. A sacroiliac fusion offers patients a host of benefits.

A painful joint

The sacroiliac joint lies on both sides of the lower part of the spine and connects the sacrum of the spine to the pelvis, helping stabilize the region. SI joints also help distribute weight, moving slightly when a person walks or runs. Like many other joints, the sacroiliac joint is prone to inflammation, wear and tear, or damage due to injury. The result is often lower back pain, particularly on a single side of the back, that radiates to the buttocks. Other symptoms include increased lower back pain when standing or moving, decreased range of motion (ROM), and reduced flexibility.

Treating SI pain conservatively

Sacroiliac joint pain can feel like many other ailments in the lower back, such as a herniated disc. Therefore, a detailed assessment from a doctor or spinal surgeon is vital to diagnosing and treating the condition. In many cases, SI joint pain will respond well to non-surgical treatments. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be recommended to reduce pain and inflammation. Other standard treatment options include steroid injections to the lower back or nerve block procedures. Should such approaches fail, SI fusion surgery is a viable option.

A surgical approach to joint pain

Sacroiliac fusion is a surgical procedure that helps stabilize the joint with metal components and bone graft. A spinal or orthopedic surgeon will make an incision near the joint. Special tools are then inserted to access the SI joint and remove the damaged or diseased cartilage. This step creates a clean surface for SI fusion. The surgeon then inserts a bone graft from the patient’s body or a donor. The bone graft acts like an adhesive to help the bones fuse together. Additional metal rods, screws, or plates may be used to hold the joint and graft in place to facilitate fusion. The goal is to allow the bones to fuse into a solid piece, reducing pain and instability.

What are the benefits of MIS?

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is a great option to consider when a SI fusion is needed. Instead of a large cut along the lower back, SI fusions can be completed with 1-3 small incisions. The surgeon uses a special arthroscope, which projects the joint on an external monitor. This tool allows the surgeon to use other tiny incisions to insert surgical instruments and complete the fusion. The most significant benefit is that the patient can leave the hospital the same day and recover at home. Additionally, outpatient procedures have less post-operative pain and scarring due to the small incisions. MIS procedures also result in fewer complications and have higher success rates than open surgery.

Are you a candidate?

Outpatient procedures on the SI joint are not for every individual. A surgeon will assess if a potential patient is a viable candidate using several factors. The damage must be moderate enough to be addressed through small incisions. Severely damaged joints may require the traditional open method. The patient should also be in good health and have realistic procedure expectations. Patients with pre-existing conditions, obesity, or prior spinal fusions may not be the best candidates.

Treat SI joint pain for good

With outpatient SI fusion, patients experience less pain and faster recovery. However, there is still a rehabilitation period that includes PT and pain management. The joint may also need additional time to fuse into solid bone. Constant lower back pain can impact the quality of life. With surgery, patients can enjoy long-term relief. The medical team will discuss the risks and benefits of surgery and ensure the patient is set up for success.