Chronic pelvic and lower back pain can often be traced to issues with the sacroiliac (SI) joint. When discomfort becomes persistent and limits your ability to move, it is important to understand when advanced options like SI joint fusion should be considered.
At The Physicians Spine & Rehabilitation Specialists, we specialize in non-surgical pain management for chronic joint and spine conditions. Serving patients across the greater Atlanta area, our experienced team is committed to helping you find lasting relief through accurate diagnosis, personalized treatment plans, and minimally invasive options when needed. If you are living with unresolved pelvic or low back pain, we invite you to schedule an appointment with our team today.
Below, we’ll explore the five key indicators that you could be a candidate for SI joint fusion, and what your next steps may look like.
1. Persistent SI Joint Pain Symptoms
Patients with sacroiliac joint dysfunction often report SI joint pain symptoms such as:
- Pain in the lower back, buttock, hip, or groin pain
- Leg pain that worsens with standing, walking, or climbing stairs
- Discomfort when transitioning from sitting to standing
- Tenderness over the sacroiliac joint during a physical exam
These signs overlap with SI joint syndrome symptoms and are caused when the two sacroiliac joints—which connect the hip bones to the lower spine—experience either too much motion or too little motion.
When sacroiliac joint pain persists for months despite nonsurgical efforts, it may signal the need for further evaluation for sacroiliac joint fusion surgery.
2. Failure of Conservative Treatments
Most patients begin with conservative treatment for sacroiliac joint dysfunction, including:
- Physical therapy to stabilize and strengthen the pelvic muscles
- Pain medication and muscle relaxers to manage acute pain
- Steroid injections into the SI joint using local anesthetic to reduce inflammation
- Guidance from a physical therapist to adjust activities and movement patterns
However, if symptoms persist despite these interventions, and the pain continues to disrupt daily life, SI joint fusion becomes a reasonable next step.
Patients whose pain signals remain strong after months of conservative therapies often achieve better outcomes with minimally invasive techniques designed for lasting pain relief.
3. Diagnostic Confirmation Through Imaging and Exams
Accurate diagnosis is crucial before considering SI joint fusion surgery.
The diagnostic process typically includes:
- A thorough medical history review and discussion of joint pain patterns
- A physical exam focused on sacroiliac pain provocation tests
- Image-guided SI joint injections to confirm that the SI joint is the pain generator
- Imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs to rule out other causes
In some cases, differential diagnosis is needed to separate sacroiliac pain from low back pain caused by other issues in the spine.
When the diagnostic tests confirm the SI joint as the source of the problem—and when other treatments have not worked—sacroiliac joint fusion becomes a recommended option.
4. Underlying Conditions That Affect the SI Joint
Certain health conditions can make a patient more prone to sacroiliac joint dysfunction, including:
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Ulcerative colitis and other inflammatory bowel diseases
- History of traumatic injury to the pelvis or lower back
These conditions can contribute to joint inflammation, bone growth abnormalities, or instability between the iliac bones and sacrum, all of which worsen joint dysfunction.
Patients with these risk factors who experience chronic pain in the SI joint despite therapy are often strong candidates for a fusion procedure.
5. Desire for Long-Term, Lasting Pain Relief
For patients whose symptoms persist and affect their ability to perform daily activities, work, or enjoy life, sacroiliac fusion offers a path to meaningful improvement.
Using minimally invasive procedures, orthopedic surgeons can place a bone allograft across the joint to encourage bone growth, promote healing, and stabilize the area.
The goal of the fusion surgery is to reduce or eliminate abnormal joint movement, which in turn reduces pain and restores stability.
Most patients undergoing SI fusion procedures report significant pain relief and improved function after completing the healing process and following a structured recovery process.
Why Choose The Physicians Spine & Rehabilitation Specialists?
At The Physicians Spine & Rehabilitation Specialists, we are dedicated to helping patients manage chronic pain with personalized, expert care. Our approach focuses on finding the root cause of your symptoms and building a treatment plan that fits your unique needs, whether that means conservative care or advanced options like minimally invasive SI joint fusion.
Patients choose us because we offer:
- Non-surgical expertise first: Our team emphasizes conservative, evidence-based therapies including physical therapy, injections, and guided rehabilitation before considering surgical referrals.
- Advanced diagnostic capabilities: We use precise evaluations, including physical exams, imaging, and diagnostic injections, to accurately identify whether the SI joint is the true source of your pain.
- Minimally invasive treatment coordination: When surgery is needed, we coordinate advanced SI joint fusion techniques using bone allografts to promote natural healing and joint stability.
- Comprehensive, personalized care: Every patient receives a customized care plan designed to relieve pain, restore mobility, and improve quality of life.
- Experienced, compassionate team: Our board-certified physicians and skilled providers work closely with you at every step, offering support throughout the diagnosis, treatment, and recovery process.
As Atlanta’s leading pain management specialists, we are committed to helping you find long-term solutions, not just symptom management.
Find Lasting Relief from SI Joint Pain
If you are struggling with SI joint pain symptoms and conservative treatments have not worked, you may be a candidate for SI joint fusion. The Physicians Spine & Rehabilitation Specialists are here to help you find the right path toward relief and improved quality of life.
Schedule an appointment with us today or call (770) 679-7000 to learn more about your treatment options.
