Had L4 L5 S1 fusion, double discectomy, triple laminectomy, bone graft taken from iliac crest, with fixation of 6 screws 2 rods in June 09. I've had ever changing pain since. Its slowly been intensifing. The Dr who did the fusion does not believe that the sacroliliac joint can be a pain source. Thats not what my Chiropractor says when he aligines my pelvis. From older xrays both the Chiro and spine dr say i need hip surgery, hopefully not a total replacement but a resurfacing (i'm 55). And the disc above the fusion has been giving me pain and numbness down the opposite leg.
I would like to see a Dr than can assess everything together....because after all they are all connected !! Any suggestions??
thanks
Denice
Location: San Francisco, California, United States
Posts: 701
Re: sacroiliac/hip pain after lumbar fusion
It gets so difficult trying to find a doctor specialized enough, but not so specialized that she can't see the big picture. I would recommend consulting a sports medicine orthopedic surgeon, a physiatrist, or a pain management doctor.
Thanks for the recommendations. Pain management Dr wanted to inplant a spinal cord stimulator after 3 lumbar injections didnt work. He never brought up SI joint issue. I've been complaining to everyone...family Dr, spine surgeon, two different physical therapist, a neurologist (i'm sure i'm missing a few) since the spine surgery about the stabbing pain, groin pain, weakness in legs, not being able to sit or stand long. I also brought up that my legs were now different legnths post surgery. After deciding not to go with the Spinal Cord Stimulator inplant right now. Out of frustration i did a search on the internet for Lumbar Fusion groin pain. Up came SI joint problems. Thinking I found the answer to the continued debilitating pain I practicly ran to the spine Dr and told him what i found. He just about laughed at me saying "dont beleive what you read on the internet. SI joint is a fused joint and would not cause pain" again he said learn to live with the pain. sigh Again out of frustration,determination and desperation I went to see a Chiropractor. Guess what he said? Yup the SI joint has been out of alignment for some time (almost 3 years!) I'm now trying to work with Workmans Comp to find a Dr who will treat the whole picture. VERY difficult!
Location: San Francisco, California, United States
Posts: 701
Re: sacroiliac/hip pain after lumbar fusion
I would definitely try either a physiatrist (a type of MD) or sports medicine orthopedic surgeon. Or an orthopedic spine specialist. It sounds like your fusion was performed by a neurosurgeon, but orthopedic surgeons also perform spine surgeries. Each type of practitioner should be spine-focused, though. (You don't want a brain surgeon or a knee surgeon operating on your spine.) The workers comp wrinkle makes things more difficult: good luck!
my surgeon was a sport medicine spine specialty orthopedist. I also saw a neurologist about a year post surgery. Both would not recognize Sacroiliac as a source of pain post surgery. Which it clearly was from the Chiropractor report. I just have to keep pushing on !!! Thanks anyway for your input.
sacroiliac/hip pain after lumbar fusion 
