SI Joint Surgical Options - Need analytical help please

**Munch1958** · 12-08-2011, 03:07 PM

I am now about 8 months post-op and wanted to leave an update on this thread. I started the suggested 6 week physical therapy program at 3 weeks post-op and finished up in the end of June.

By Aug, I had so much thoracic pain from previous kyphoplasty and rigid muscles and knots in the muscles at the Glut Min, Glut Mead, Tensor Fascia Latte (sp?) and problems with my IT band on the i-Fuse side so I returned for more p/t. I've been going ever since and am almost out of visits authorized by my insurance.

I do have a total knee replacement on my left side. Now I'm wondering if getting my pelvis level for the first time in my life is going to have an effect on my knee. I am not sure if the SI problem caused the cartilage to wear away in that knee.

I had two Steinmann pins or cannulated 8.0 screws inserted on the right side and SI-Bone i-Fuse implants. I am looking for any published peer reviewed studies on this combo.

Thus far, I am not of fan of this procedure because of the increased thoracic pain. I had very high hopes for this being a permanent fix but am now seeing a chiropractor, cranial sacral therapist and 4th year osteopathic med student because I'm locked up like a pretzel.

This is a new procedure and a new device so maybe they need to work out the kinks a bit more. Quite a few people have had an exacerbation of existing thoracic pain or new thoracic pain from the way the implants don't allow the hips to move. The implants and screws change the bio-mechanics of the body. One can expect pain afterwards for 6-9 months while the muscles and brain adjust to the mechanical changes.

If anyone is considering this procedure please find a good p/t and massage therapist before hand. You'll definitely need them post-op and possibly long term. I'd also suggest doing some exercises to build up the upper body because a walker (needed for 4 weeks post-op) is rough on muscles of the chest, arm pits, shoulders, arms, etc.

**Justin** · 12-09-2011, 02:06 PM

Hi Munch,Thank you for updating us. I'm sorry to read that you are still dealing with thoracic issues. I do hope that your interventions will help with your pain. If possible, I would like to talk to you off the Forum as I have a few suggestions that I would like to discuss via phone (it would be much easier than messaging back and forth).Thinking about you and wishing you the very best.

**Munch1958** · 12-11-2011, 12:50 PM

HI Justin:

How do I get in touch with you? I'm new to the forum.

I've been seeing a husband and wife team of doctors that have specialized in fibromyalgia for 20 years. He is a biomed engineer, chiropractor, cranial sacral therapist, and 4/5ths of the way through CCO in London Ontario. He will be a DO in old fashioned manipulation when he graduates.

I saw him Fri and he believes my SI joints are no longer level. He manually and visually lined them up and could slide his hand under my right butt cheek. So the fusion side is higher than the screw side. This is causing severe thoracic pain. I am going Tue for a standing x-ray so they can measure how far I'm out of alignment.

Linda

**Munch1958** · 01-30-2012, 08:18 PM

I am 9 months post-op and still have severe pain. My doctor ordered more imaging. My kyphoplasty is leaking bone cement at: T10, L1 and L5. It's in the disc spaces on all 3 levels and a huge blob is on the L5 nerve root. Has anyone had this problem? What can they do about it?

I had a MRI and CT scan right before the SI surgery. I don't understand why all 3 levels would leak bone cement after the fusion/fixation procedure. I thought 1:1,000 cases of kyphoplasty or vertebroplasty leaked.

How do a get in touch with you, Justin, to chat off forum?

**Justin** · 01-30-2012, 09:35 PM

Originally Posted by Munch1958

I am 9 months post-op and still have severe pain. My doctor ordered more imaging. My kyphoplasty is leaking bone cement at: T10, L1 and L5. It's in the disc spaces on all 3 levels and a huge blob is on the L5 nerve root. Has anyone had this problem? What can they do about it?

I had a MRI and CT scan right before the SI surgery. I don't understand why all 3 levels would leak bone cement after the fusion/fixation procedure. I thought 1:1,000 cases of kyphoplasty or vertebroplasty leaked.

How do a get in touch with you, Justin, to chat off forum?

Hi Linda,

I apologize...I didn't see your post in December. I will send you a private message now.