Hi All,

Yet another treatment with osteo today and it seems the source of the really nasty right sided pain I still experience is coming from the SI joint. I know that I have, as so many of us do, complex stuff going on in my spine and didn't expect the ADR to be a cure but now that I have stability what is the liklihood of this really intense pain settling? I am icing / heating, doing gentle physio and core work and my osteo releases a lot of the muscle spasm. Any suggestions what else I can do to help myself?

Thanks so much to all for just being here and understanding - it means so much to me ;)

Shirley
xx

Hi Shirley

You're certainly not having a smooth ride are you? Don't despair everything may well settle down with time.

If you do a search on here I'm sure you'll find posts from others who have SIJ pain post op, many of whom have improved without further intervention.

Sacro-iliac joint injections could help, when do you go back to see Mr Marsh? If it's not imminent perhaps you should contact him or his lead spinal physiotherapist for advice or do you have a pain management consultant who may help confirm the source of your pain? From the sound of things you are doing all the right things to help yourself and I hope everything settles down soon. Do you have a tens machine? Have you tried a SIJ belt? They are out of vogue but it may just give a bit of support whilst you continue with the core stability strengthening, could you contact your physiotherapist for advice, I know you have been discharged but he/she may give you some advice if you phone?

Best wishes

Lynda

There's some info on pain patterns following lumbar disc replacement which may be of interest in the following link - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2365532/

You are still early in the recovery process Shirley and SI joint pains are not uncommon at this stage. You've had your spine reconstructed and sometimes other joints are irritated/inflammed for a while until they adjust. Hopefully it will all settle and the troublesome pain will be less.

how does the intensity/sensation of the pain differ from pre surgery?

icing is usually best for acute injury ie for 48 hours after physio or osteo. then you should move on to heat to remobilise the recovered area. have you been advised on the best current pain management plans?

Thanks all so much for your prompt and kind responses. I am due to see Mr Marsh again in 4 weeks. I have booked to see my GP next week tho to get a referral to the pain management clinic I have been attending for 20 ++++ years!! If by some chance I don't need the appt when it comes up I could always cancel - wouldn't that feel good?! I suspect tho that I will need it if not for my back then for my neck.

ajj1001 - the pain in the very specific 'trigger' place is the same as pre surgery and intensity the same. Its just so much else is much improved. Still realigning of course and I suspect there was significant compression on this joint due to the sideways / forward tilt my body had been in for so many years.

Lynda - thanks so much for all the info - I will investigate all you suggest. I'm not having an easy ride no, especially with my 'sticky out wing.'!! but I am far from despairing. I feel I am doing really well actually and have reduced meds considerably and feel positive about my progress, I feel so grateful to have the stability the implant has given me. The other stuff is manageable and I WILL get there!!

Thanks again for all your support,

Hoping you are having a comfortable time,

Shirley
xxx

Yes, you will get there I am sure, Shirley, especially as you have seen an improvement in the area for which the op was done. It is such a shame you have had to put up with the other complications you have experienced and at a time you could have well done without them!!

Take Care
Gilly xx