[Sacroiliac Joint Fusion / Dysfunction] My Right Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Fusion Surgery- 3/10/09

[treefrog]

Wonderful news CL !!! I'm so glad to hear it. I hope PT and strengthening will get rid of those last bits of pain that you have.

[Justin]

I jumped up in the exam room and did a little gig and sang "I'm fused, I'm fused, I'm fused!!" My doctor started laughing and then joined me with his arms jiving, like stirring the pot, , singing "she's fused, she's fused, she's fused!" Can I say it was a happy, happy moment? Yes I can!! He wrote a script for me to start physical therapy and when I asked him if I could work with a personal trainer too, to start getting back in shape he said yes, but nothing crazy.

She's fused, she's fused, she's fused!!!

CL, this is exciting! Thanks for letting us know and it sounds like it was quite the celebration in his office. Remember to take things slow and make sure to enjoy your days with little vicodin and decreased pain!

to you!

[Cindylou]

Oh, brother, just call me..........Kathy! No, just kidding, but I have seriously overdone it with getting the house ready to be on the market today. It's Friday night, and I could be seeking out friends for an evening out, but instead, I am flopped on my porch, having taken a warm bath, and have an ice pack on my back. Color me pooped. My husband flew in tonight from New York and packed up the dog and took off for the cabin. I am feeling a sense of duty to stay behind for one graduation party, and two birthday parties of dear girlfriends, going on tomorrow afternoon and evening. My plan is to drive up to the cabin tomorrow night, if I am not too tired. I want to get there because most of my kids are up there, and for the first time with the baby! My 21 year old even left ahead of us all this morning. So, I'm anxious to be with my family, but.....I am such a duty bound person. Sometimes to a fault. Oh, well. Whaddaya gonna do? Tomorrow is another day.

[Justin]

CL, be safe driving up to the cabin tomorrow after the graduation and birthday parties.

I am such a duty bound person. Sometimes to a fault. Oh, well. Whaddaya gonna do? Tomorrow is another day.

I'm the same way...good times, eh? Tully will be at the cabin in the future as well.

[KBear]

CL- That was funny, made me laugh, especially since I way overdid it today, all week really. I rented a carpet cleaner, cleaned the remaining 2 rooms of carpet in my house, all the rugs, and the upholestry in my car (in the 103 temp). It was crazy; but needed to be done.

I am such a duty bound person too, although the spine has given me an 'out' when needed.... see there is an upside to this pain. Unless it is real close friends and family, who attend your functions, then I wouldn't feel obligated to go. I would go enjoy my family at the cabin, surely they would understand.

[Justin]

Hey CL,

How's the SI fusion treating you? It sounds like you are back to moving freely without any restrictions (I guess pain-limiting mov't). I hope you are feeling better after the last few days of being under the weather.

You need some more Tully medicine.

[Justin]

Hey CL,

How's the SI joint fusion feeling these days? I hope you are continuing to heal well, despite your ongoing spine pain.

[Cindylou]

Yes, I believe it is healing ok. I know it is fused. I just wish my back felt better. Thanks for caring Justin.

[Cindylou]

So I am really confused. I met with my SI joint fusion doctor for my 6 month follow up and we got into some pretty interesting discussion after he did a thorough physical exam of me. Here are a couple of his thoughts and belief system regarding the body and pain: He said he really has trouble believing my facet nerves are causing me this much pain....he has just not believed in the model of the facets being such pain generators. When I mentioned the facet blocks I had received so much relief from, he countered that the whole area gets bathed in numbing medication so it is still a slippery slope of diagnoses. He said the left SI joint is likely getting relief from the block as well. I told him I am confused, because something is still causing me so much pain. When he physically examined me, it appeared I was having more pain in my left SI Joint area than my low back area. Then when he applied pressure where he did the fusion surgery on the right side there was still tenderness there, and he said that is the incision site, and it is expectedly still tender. Very normal, but not causing me all this pain trying to stand still and move around. What gives, I pressured, in his humble opinion. He thinks that it is lack of core strength and conditioning. Now, I know I am no Ironman , far from it, but seriously? How could that be causing so much pain? He absolutely believes the lack of core strength, especially after so many surgeries I have had, could still be a culprit. The culprit and source of my remaining pain. He did not think my left SI Joint was far enough gone yet, like my right and not indicating the need for surgery. With all due respect to pain management doctors, he also was suspicious of some of their practices, because...for example, my pain management doctor has only physically examined me one time, and not nearly as thorough as this doc. He says the physical exam is everything. I'm sure he said some more things, but that is the meat of it. The thing is, I really like and trust this doctor, so he has definitely given me some things to ponder. I thought I would ask for any feedback or responses from anyone who is interested. A part of me is frankly thinking, maybe he's right. I just have to walk tho I hurt, and work my core more. Lord knows, that's true. Any and all responses are welcome.

[Justin]

He thinks that it is lack of core strength and conditioning. Now, I know I am no Ironman , far from it, but seriously? How could that be causing so much pain? He absolutely believes the lack of core strength, especially after so many surgeries I have had, could still be a culprit. The culprit and source of my remaining pain. He did not think my left SI Joint was far enough gone yet, like my right and not indicating the need for surgery.

CL, I believe lack of core strength is partially contributing to my own ongoing pain. In your situation with one surgery after another (after another ), I think your core muscles have been neglected just based on the number of surgeries you've had and the limited movement required by some of the most recent surgeries (L6-S1 and sacroiliac joint fusions). The cumulative atrophy and decompensation of your core muscles and alternation of your body mechanics may be playing into your pain, as your surgeon mentioned. I will keep you posted on my personal experience when I start rehab next week and see how I feel in the coming weeks.

He says the physical exam is everything. I just have to walk tho I hurt, and work my core more. Lord knows, that's true. Any and all responses are welcome.

A big thumbs up :thumpup: to his physical exam comment. I'm working on getting up in the mornings and walking first thing in the morning despite my pain. Initially, I should see a spike in my pain levels, but I know this will ultimately get me over this "hump." I hope the increased activity greatly helps in your situation.

I wish you the very best.