TREATMENT OPTIONS
Discover Sacroiliac Joint Fusion
When you’re not getting lasting relief from other treatments, sacroiliac (SI) joint fusion might be an option.
Stabilising the SI Joint
Surgery might be an option to treat sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction and limit the amount of movement of the SI joint. A doctor may recommend a minimally invasive surgical procedure that fuses the SI joint.
Follow Your SI Joint Fusion Recovery Plan
After SI fusion surgery, a medical team will design a recovery plan specific to a patient's needs. It's best to keep doctors informed, follow their instructions, and contact them with questions. After surgery a person's body needs time to heal to maximise the chance of a good outcome and reduce recovery time.
More information about recovering from surgery
What to expect after SI joint fusion surgery
Recovering from surgery takes time. How fast a person recovers depends on the type of surgery, work with a physical therapist, and the ability to move and exercise, as recommended by a surgeon. In most cases, immediately after surgery a medical team will continue to monitor heart and lung function. A doctor may also prescribe medication to control pain and nausea.
Before a person leaves the hospital, a doctor or nurse may:
- Demonstrate how to care for the incision
- Request that a back brace is worn
- Describe ways to slowly increase activity
- Discuss what activities to avoid and for how long, such as repetitive bending, lifting, twisting, and athletic activities
- Advise how to avoid vibrations, such as those you might experience when driving a car, for a period of time
- Schedule office visits to monitor the recovery
Physical therapy
Your surgeon may refer you to a physical therapist who will teach you exercises to improve your strength and increase your mobility. The goal of physical therapy is to help you become active as soon as possible, using safe body movements that protect your spine and your sacroiliac joint. This often includes abdominal-strengthening exercises. The therapist may also teach you different ways of standing, sitting, or lifting to avoid reinjuring your spine.
BENEFITS OF PHYSICAL THERAPY AFTER SI JOINT FUSION SURGERY
One of the biggest mistakes that patients make following SI joint fusion, or any (orthopedic) surgery for that matter, is assuming that the “problem” is fixed immediately post-procedure. From a physical therapist perspective, this is not the case for several reasons.
First of all, the SI joint and the majority of other joints in the body rely heavily on muscular balance and support to function at optimal level. The wheel on your car is a good example. If the wheel is not balanced properly or your alignment is off, you’ll get less life out of your tires. Joint pain is felt sooner in joints that are not properly balanced, just like the wheel on your car.
The human body is incredibly resilient and can tolerate years of abuse before presenting itself as pain. The physical therapist's job is to identify the imbalance and correct the problem before it turns into irreversible damage where surgery is required. If the SI joint dysfunction cannot be corrected with conservative methods, surgery becomes an option.
If surgery is elected, the SI joint is stabilised (fused) and the patient may notice immediate pain reduction, although the muscular dysfunction remains. For example, if the SI joint dysfunction was a result of muscle shortening in the front of the hip or poor glute strength, it will now be exaggerated by the bed rest and decreased activity levels following surgery, which will cause further weakening or muscle shortening. This is where the physical therapist needs to step in to assess the mobility and stability of the area, design a treatment plan, and help you get the most life out of your new tires!
Warning signs
Contact your doctor immediately if:
- You get a fever
- The incision site starts leaking blood (red streaks) or pus (a thick yellowish or greenish liquid)
- You have trouble swallowing or breathing
- You have trouble urinating
- You have new or increased back or leg pain or numbness
Be good to yourself
Recovering from SI joint fusion surgery is an ongoing process. Recovery time is unique to each patient. The best way to recover? Be kind to yourself and follow your medical team’s instructions.
