Outcomes
Patient Stories
Bill's Story
Bill’s SI joint pain was part of a bigger set of problems he had with his lower back. To help relieve his lower back pain, Bill had a series of spinal injections and a rhizotomy, a medical procedure that burns the nerve roots in the area where the pain is located. For about a year following the rhizotomy, Bill was pain free, but then the pain came back.
- Back Story
- SI Joint Degeneration
Background
Bill’s SI joint pain was part of a bigger set of problems he had with his lower back. He was retired, and his biggest passion was playing drums and going to his grandson’s sporting events, but it was becoming too painful to do either. It hurt too much to get the drums all set up and actually play them. And to watch his grandson play, he had to get from the parking lot to the bleachers, which was extremely difficult, not to mention sitting in pain during the games.
To help relieve his lower back pain, Bill had a series of spinal injections and a rhizotomy, a medical procedure that burns the nerve roots in the area where the pain is located. For about a year following the rhizotomy, Bill was pain free, but then the pain came back. His doctor recommended physical therapy, which he tried, but it didn’t take the pain away enough. His doctor then recommended SI joint fusion. Bill’s first concern was that the fusion wouldn’t be effective for a man of his size. After some reassurance from his doctor that the devices used for the fusion would be more than adequate, he scheduled the procedure. He had the SI joint fusion, and later that same day, he was able to return home. He said that he had some limitations but was virtually pain-free.
Before his SI joint fusion, Bill actually considered giving up playing the drums. Now, after SI joint fusion, he plays drums in three different bands. He is also able to go and enjoy his grandson’s sporting events. “If I had to do it over again, I wouldn’t hesitate,” Bill said. He feels the SI joint fusion improved his quality of life immensely.
This is one patient’s experience, results may vary.
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The iFuse Implant System is intended for sacroiliac fusion for conditions including sacroiliac joint dysfunction that is a direct result of sacroiliac joint disruption and degenerative sacroiliitis. This includes conditions whose symptoms began during pregnancy or in the peripartum period and have persisted postpartum for more than 6 months. The iFuse Implant System is also intended for sacroiliac fusion to augment stabilization and immobilization of the sacroiliac joint in skeletally mature patients undergoing sacropelvic fixation as part of a lumbar or thoracolumbar fusion. As well, the iFuse Implant system is intended for sacroiliac fusion in acute, non-acute, and non-traumatic fractures involving the sacroiliac joint.
There are potential risks associated with the iFuse Implant System. It may not be appropriate for all patients and all patients may not benefit. For information about the risks, talk to your doctor and visit: www.si-bone.com/risks. Rx Only.