Is your back pain SI Joint Dysfunction?

Sometimes our patients will present to us with a normal or near-normal lumbar MRI but have severe low back pain. The true answer to the source of their pain is actually not their lumbar spine but the SI Joint. We value empowering our patients with the knowledge of their condition as well as the solution.

SI Bone GuidePins Intraop -AHM

The sacroiliac (SI) joint is where your spine meets your pelvis. Your sacrum is the triangle-shaped tailbone at the lowest portion of your spine and connects to the iliac crest of your hip. This is a non-mobile joint, meaning unlike your shoulder joint or knee joint, it has no mobility. However, in many people, the SI joint will begin to degenerate and have laxity. The wear and tear over time cause the two bones to rub and create friction, and even the slightest movement of this area can cause severe pain. SI joint dysfunction manifests as low back pain that radiates to the buttock and partially down the back of the leg. Unfortunately, this diagnosis is far too often missed. Dr. Mesiwala specializes in identifying SI joint dysfunction. A detailed physical exam, a CT of the pelvis, and a diagnostic SI joint block will verify the diagnosis.

SImpact with SCS Generator Unilatera

Left: SImpact Unilateral 2; Right: SI Bone Post Op Bilateral with L5-S1 Fusion

The operation to repair this is done through a very small incision where three bolts are placed to fuse and stabilize the joint. As this is already intended to be a non-mobile joint, you won’t lose any mobility from this fusion. The surgery is less than 45 minutes. It is an outpatient surgery, meaning you get to go home the same day. Dr. Mesiwala has performed over 700+ SI joint fusions. While this operation is quick, it results in life-changing improvement for our patients.

SImpact placement intraop – AHM

Could your back pain actually be SI joint dysfunction? Visit wwww.SIjointcenter.com for more information.