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Reply With QuoteWelcome to the forum. I'm no help on SI joint disfunction; but there are several on here who are. If you put Dr. Stark's name in our search function you will find that several people on here have seen him and some had surgery with him.
This is a discussion on Hello, I'm new here and have never done a "forum" before! within the New Member Introductions forums, part of the Spine Patient Society Lobby category; I am new to this world, but am looking for information and support surrounding SI Joint Dysfunction and surgery. I ...
Hello, I'm new here and have never done a "forum" before! I am new to this world, but am looking for information and support surrounding SI Joint Dysfunction and surgery. I have no idea what started my incessant pain, but it began in October of 2009 after sleeping on a couch one night. I have been to many many specialists, have endured many cortisone injections into the spine, PT for my lower back, accupuncture, chiropractic, Pain Management Therapy, Neurologists, and tests tests tests. I had all but given up when I met Dr. John Stark 2 weeks ago. He finally put a name to my pain and tells me that he can help with an SI Joint fusion technique that he developed.
It sounds too good to be true, but I can't take this pain much longer. Does anyone have any feedback on him as a doctor or this operation in general? I have lost my job because of this, and most of my friends and family are tired of me constantly complaining and begging off of things because of pain.
Help?
Soprano 1
50 yr. old female
Recently diagnosed with severe SI Joint Dysfunction
Dealing with constant pain for 16 months
Re: Hello, I'm new here and have never done a "forum" before! Welcome to the forum. I'm no help on SI joint disfunction; but there are several on here who are. If you put Dr. Stark's name in our search function you will find that several people on here have seen him and some had surgery with him.
31 years old- 1/06- In wreck with 18 wheeler at 25 years old; 6/06- Head on collision on Interstate, both wrecks other drivers fault. Numerous MRI's, PT, chiropractic, acupuncture, TENS therapy, massage therapy, facet injections, epidural injections, Nerve study, Discogram, confirms pain in L4/5, IDET, decompression, Bi-lateral neurotomy L3/4/5, denied by insurance twice, in Active L clinical trial, had surgery March 17, 2009 in Miami, FL- received Active L disc at 29 years old. Pain and medication free as of October 2010!Mommy to Emma- 8 years, Ava- 6 years & had baby Eli after ADR, via c-section on March 25, 2011, completely pain free still!
Re: Hello, I'm new here and have never done a "forum" before! Hello
And
There is a patient on here that has had SI fusion in MN I think by the same Doctor I am sure she will chime in soon.
Hang in there we are here to support each other
Gil
L5-S1 lam 1994
L2 to L5 DDD
L3 -L4 hern Dec 2007.
L4-L5 Annular fissure with mild central stenosis and moderate facet hypertrophy.
L5-S1 bilaterial neural foraminal narrowing with inferior effacement.
L2-L3 Right-sided neural foraminal narrowing
L3-L4 related to posterolateral hypertrophic spurs and facet hypertrophy.
C3-C4 limited DDD
15 injections Depo. P.T. 18 months 9 dose packs,
Nerve Block Injections.4 ESI S1
L5-S1 Foraminotomy 09
L4-L5 Microdiscectomy 09 ReHerniation 4-2010
Surgery 6-29-11 L4-L5-S1 Decompression Fusion L5-S1 and Coflex F implants
Re: Hello, I'm new here and have never done a "forum" before! Hi Soprano, Sorry I am just now seeing your post. I had a right SI Joint Fusion by Dr. John Stark about 2 years ago. I will say the surgery eliminated most, if not all, of the nerve pain I had going on in my right leg, so I am very thankful for that. However, I am still experiencing a significant amount of sharp pain in the low back, SI area in general, on that same right side. So not sure what that is. In fact, I have an appt. coming up to see him pretty soon for follow-up, so I am going to address that with him. I wish you the best of luck as you determine the necessary treatment for your spine. Feel free to ask me any more questions or even send me a PM instead. CindylouOriginally Posted by Soprano1
I am new to this world, but am looking for information and support surrounding SI Joint Dysfunction and surgery. I have no idea what started my incessant pain, but it began in October of 2009 after sleeping on a couch one night. I have been to many many specialists, have endured many cortisone injections into the spine, PT for my lower back, accupuncture, chiropractic, Pain Management Therapy, Neurologists, and tests tests tests. I had all but given up when I met Dr. John Stark 2 weeks ago. He finally put a name to my pain and tells me that he can help with an SI Joint fusion technique that he developed.
It sounds too good to be true, but I can't take this pain much longer. Does anyone have any feedback on him as a doctor or this operation in general? I have lost my job because of this, and most of my friends and family are tired of me constantly complaining and begging off of things because of pain.
Help?
• January 2000 MVA passenger, used jaws of life to retrieve me, neck injury and months of PT
• June 2001 Bicycle accident, 2 compression fractures at T12/L1, Vertebroplasty Sept. 2001
• April 2006 right hip, labral tear and repair
• April 2007 3 level ProDisc @ L3/4, L4/5 & L5/6✷ ✷Lumbosacral transitional vertebra; Dr. Rudolph Bertagnoli
• July 2, 2008 ALIF & Laminectomy @ L6/S1
• July 30, 2008 re-opened 28 days later to remove bone cement that had leaked onto S1 nerve root
• August 2008 Pulmonary embolism, double pneumonia, collapsed left lung, re-hospitalized 1 week
• March 10, 2009 Right SI Joint Fusion
• April 27, 2010 2nd right hip arthroscopy to remove adhesions and release psoas muscle
• September 30, 2010 lumbar facet rhizotomy
• December 9, 2010 12 bilateral lumbar trigger point and steroid injections
• December 23, 2010 12 more bilateral trigger point injections w/o steroid
• February 15, 2011 ESI bilaterally in lower lumbar...relief only for few days. Considering 1 more.
Did Spinal Cord Stimulator trial from 5/11/11-5/17/11 with excellent results; Spinal Cord Stimulator surgery is Monday,
July 18, 2011
Re: Hello, I'm new here and have never done a "forum" before! Welcome to the Spine Patient Society, Soprano1!
CL, as stated above, had surgery with Dr. Stark. Also, if you do a search, you will find a lot of pertinent threads.
Good luck and please keep us posted.
Justin Averna
Founder & President, Spine Patient Society™
www.SpinePatientSociety.org
A 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Nonprofit & Charitable Organization
I'm here to help.
- 1994: Football Injury, Severe Hyperextension
- 1997: Snow Skiing Injury
- 3/7/1997: Laminotomy L4/L5
- 1999 & 2003: Motor Vehicle Accidents (not at fault both times) --> Grade V Annular Tears L4/L5 & L5/L6
- 11/15/2003: 2-Level ProDisc® L4/L5 & L5/L6*, *lumbosacral transitional vertebra --> Dr. Rudolf Bertagnoli
- 4/2008: 4.5 years pain-free before "new" leg pain
- 5/14/2009: Dynamic Stabilization System L4/L5, Dr. Rudolf Bertagnoli
Questions? Suggestions? Need help with registering, creating a signature, etc.?
justin (at) spinepatientsociety.org
Disclosure: I have no financial relationships with any surgeons, spine clinics, device manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, etc. -- the SPS Board of Directors serve without compensation.
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