SI Joint
You may experience pain the lower back or your legs if you suffer from dysfunction in the SI joint or the sacroiliac joint. Aggravation of the SI joint can cause inflammation, also known as sacroiliitis. The condition is a major cause of stiffness, pain, and other symptoms.
Southern California Hip Institute (SCHI), led by board certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. Tigran Garabekyan, provides orthopedic surgery to patients in Los Angeles, Century City, CA, and surrounding locations.
Types of SI Joint Pain
- SI joint dysfunction can result in lower back pain that may feel like a dull ache. It can range from mild to severe. Lower back pain is usually felt only on one side. However, in some severe cases it may be felt on both sides.
- You may find the pain spreads to buttocks, hips, and groin. Upper back or side of the thigh and buttocks are common areas for SI joint paint. The pain is usually felt on one side, but may affect both sides.
- You may experience sciatic like pain in the back of the thighs or the buttocks. This may feel like a sharp, hot, stabbing pain. It may include tingling and numbness.
- Reduced range of motion and stiffness in the lower hips, back, groin, and pelvis may cause difficult in movement, such as bending at the waist or walking up the stairs
- The pain may worsen because of added pressure on the sacroiliac joint. This can be during running, jogging, climbing stairs, and putting weight on one side.
- Instability in the lower back or pelvis may cause the pelvis to feel like will give way when walking, standing or moving from sitting to standing.
What is involved in Sacroiliac Joint Fusion Surgery?
Sacroiliac joint fusion is the standard surgery used for addressing SI joint pain. The goal of this procedure is to completely eliminate the movement of the sacroiliac joint by grafting the sacrum and ilium together.
Use of implanted rods and screws are involved in sacroiliac fusion. In recent years, minimally invasive procedure has been developed for improving the symptoms and reducing recovery time. Your surgeon may recommend sacroiliac joint fusion only when all other non-surgical treatment options have been exhausted.
Procedure of Sacroiliac Joint Fusion
There are two types of surgical systems involved in a sacroiliac joint fusion – the implants that fuse the joint and the tools required for performing the surgery. Minimally invasive sacroiliac joint fusion procedures include the following:
- A small incision will be made under general anesthesia on your lower back. This will be used for gently moving the muscles to one side.
- Small hole will be drilled through the ilium for accessing the joint using a special device
- Ligaments and muscles will be removed from the sacroiliac joint. Surgical implants and bone graft will be put in place across the joint for encouraging bone growth.
- Surgical site will be closed using standard sutures after putting the muscles back in place
Southern California Hip Institute (SCHI), headed by orthopedic surgeon Dr. Tigran Garabekyan, receives patients from Los Angeles, Century City, CA, and nearby areas for orthopedic surgery.
Contact the Southern California Hip Institute
Dr. Tigran Garabekyan is a board certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in hip preservation. To learn more about Southern California Hip Institute or to schedule a consultation, click here to contact us or call:
Century City / Los Angeles: 310.595.1030
Serving patients in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Century City, West Hollywood, North Hollywood Encino, Sherman Oaks, Van Nuys, Burbank, Glendale and other neighboring cities in the greater Los Angeles, California area.
Also visit http://www.drgorthopedics.com/
