Is SI Joint Fusion Right for You?

When you think about your joints, you might picture them moving like a hinge (similar to your knee) or pivoting like a ball-and-socket (like your hip). Some of your joints don’t move much at all, though; the sacroiliac (SI) joint is one example. 

This joint connects your sacrum, the bony, shield-shaped plate at the base of your spine, and your iliac crest, the wing-like bones at either side of your pelvis.

Rather than allowing those two bones a wide range of motion, the SI joint is tasked with shock absorption. That makes it a good candidate for joint fusion. 

Dr. Jonathan Carlson is a back pain specialist offering SI joint fusion and a range of other treatments at Hawai’i Pain & Spine on the Windward side of O’ahu in Kailua, Hawai’i. If you deal with SI pain, visit Dr. Carlson to see if this treatment could be right for you. 

Finding out if your SI joint is the problem

SI joint problems can be hard to diagnose because they often feel like generalized back pain. The pain might radiate across your lower back, even traveling down to your buttocks or legs. That makes it similar to sciatica and other conditions. 

Fortunately, Dr. Carlson can help determine if your sacroiliac joint is to blame. He asks you about your symptoms and performs a physical exam. 

If he thinks the problem might be the SI joint, he first tries conservative treatments to ease your pain. Physical therapy and medication, for example, might bring you relief. 

If they don’t, he offers joint injections — a combination of pain relievers and steroids — to bring down inflammation. If applying that injection to your SI joint helps you feel better, it confirms that the problem lies where your sacrum and iliac crest meet. 

Some people get lasting relief after an SI joint injection. But if your pain keeps coming back, you’re probably a good candidate for SI joint fusion. 

What to expect with SI joint fusion

If Dr. Carlson recommends fusion, you’ll be glad to know that it’s a minimally invasive procedure, and you should be able to go home the same day. 

Once you’re under general anesthesia, Dr. Carlson makes a small incision above your SI joint. Guided by X-ray imaging, he precisely places titanium implants to stabilize the joint. The procedure usually takes an hour or less.

Most people return to work within a few weeks and to their usual activities — including sports — after a few months. The majority of people report that even years later, SI joint fusion reduces their pain by more than half. 

If you want a meaningful reduction in your low back pain, Dr. Carlson and our team are here to help. To find out if the issue stems from your SI joint — and if you’d be a good candidate for joint fusion — call our office today to schedule your appointment.