For people who struggle with lower back or hip pain, sacroiliac joint fusion can provide permanent relief. However, this procedure often comes with some activity restrictions. Understanding these limitations is important to deciding on the right treatment plan for you. NU-Spine: The Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Institute provides surgical treatment for sacroiliac joint disease and other spine conditions at locations throughout New Jersey. Here, we discuss SI joint fusion permanent restrictions to help patients understand their treatment options.
What Are Sacroiliac Joints?
The sacroiliac (SI) joints are a pair of joints found at the base of the spine. They connect the sacrum, a triangle-shaped bone, to the iliac bones, the two large bones in the pelvis. These joints are crucial for transferring weight from the spine to the hips and legs. Because they play such an important role, they also take large amounts of strain. This makes them susceptible to a wide variety of ailments, including:
- Traumatic injuries
- Repeated stress injuries
- Age-related degeneration
- Spinal osteoarthritis, or spondylosis
- Joint inflammation, or sacroiliitis
- Failed back syndrome
When any of these conditions affect the sacroiliac joint, severe symptoms may result. In some cases, symptoms develop slowly. In others, they appear all at once. Common characteristics of sacroiliac joint pain include:
- Pain in the lower back, buttock, or thighs
- Pain that increases when walking, standing, sitting, or bending
- Pain that radiates into the legs and feet
- Numbness or tingling sensations in the legs and feet
- Back or hip stiffness, especially in the morning
- Instability or looseness in the hips or lower back
- Changes in posture or walking gait
These symptoms may make it difficult to participate in everyday activities. Climbing stairs, bending to put on shoes, and even changing positions become painful prospects. A person may struggle with activities they formerly enjoyed, leading to a negative effect on a person’s quality of life.
What Is Sacroiliac Joint Fusion?
Sacroiliac joint fusion, also called SI joint fusion, is the standard surgical option to treat sacroiliac pain when conservative treatments like medication and physical therapy do not provide sufficient relief. It involves fusing the sacrum and iliac bones into a single piece. The fused bone is much stronger and more stable than the unfused joint and can carry weight without pain or looseness. The fusion is also permanent, meaning symptoms of joint dysfunction should not return. This makes SI joint fusion an effective long-term solution to pain.
Sacroiliac joint fusion is a minimally invasive procedure. This means the surgeon uses specialized tools and the guidance of medical imaging to access the joint without cutting through muscles or nerves. This reduces post-surgical trauma for less pain and bleeding after the operation. It also allows for a faster recovery, helping patients enjoy the positive results of surgery sooner.
When Is Sacroiliac Joint Fusion Recommended?
Fusion surgery is not always the first recommended treatment for SI joint pain. In many cases, more conservative treatments provide enough relief to let patients live normally. These can include:
- Rest and reduced physical activity
- Physical therapy
- Pain management medications
- Corticosteroid injections
- Wearing a supportive brace
However, these treatments aren’t always enough. Sometimes, a patient’s condition worsens so that conservative treatments no longer provide the relief they used to. Other times, the non-invasive approach is inadequate from the start. The pain does not respond to treatment, or the patient’s symptoms significantly reduce their quality of life more than conservative treatments can address. In these cases, surgery may be recommended as a proven and permanent solution.
Restrictions After SI Joint Fusion
After sacroiliac joint fusion is complete, the bones take time to heal. During this time, patients should limit physical exertion to prevent complications and let the bone grow naturally. Bending, twisting, and lifting are to be avoided. A physical or occupational therapist will provide guidance as patients gradually return to normal activity levels.
Even after recovery, SI joint fusion typically comes with some permanent restrictions. SI joint fusion provides effective pain relief at the cost of some mobility. The fused joint can no longer bend and flex, limiting the ways a person can move. The person may need to avoid activities such as:
- Exercising: Patients should avoid workouts that put extreme stress on the spine, including powerlifting and gymnastics.
- Working: Patients may be unable to work physical labor jobs involving heavy lifting, repetitive lifting, or lower back bending.
- Walking: While walking and running are safe, joint fusion may create a change in posture that results in a different gait.
Not every patient will experience these restrictions after surgery. Some individuals will return fully to their pre-pain ability levels, while others will face varying levels of limitation. Patients should follow their spine specialist’s guidance on which activities are safe after surgery.
Learn More About SI Joint Fusion Permanent Restrictions
If you are experiencing SI joint pain, don’t wait for relief. Transform your life with a touch of care at NU-Spine: The Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Institute. Our resident neurosurgeon, Dr. Branko Skovrlj, has vast expertise and experience in treating spine conditions. Contact us today to learn more or schedule an appointment at one of our New Jersey locations near you.