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Elizabeth's Story
- Location
- Texas
- Back Story
- SI Joint Trauma
- Product/Date
- iFuse™ - June, 2014 Left side
Although many patients have benefited from treatment from iFuse procedures, patients' results may vary. SI Buddies are not medical professionals, and their statements should not be interpreted as medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider if you think any of this information may apply to you.
"Thanks to my SI joint fusion, I am no longer planning my day around my 24 hour pain. I'm able to be a full time student again and enjoy life to its fullest."
Background
Elizabeth recalls a specific event in 2009 when she was dropped while cheerleading at age 17. She felt immediate shooting pain across her lower back that led to difficulty sitting and standing. Elizabeth’s primary care physician referred her to a local orthopedic and pain management clinic. She underwent an MRI of her lumbar spine and was diagnosed with a bulging disc.
Treatments over the next couple of years included physical therapy, epidural steroid injections, narcotic pain medication, and acupuncture. Nothing relieved her ongoing back pain or helped her physical limitations.
Her pain management physician referred her to an orthopedic spine surgeon for another opinion. “I wasn’t able to go out and be a normal college student. I had to give up being a small group leader in my church because I could not sit for long periods of time or participate in overnight retreats. I just didn’t feel like doing anything.”
The orthopedic spine surgeon gave Elizabeth an SI joint injection to determine whether her SI joint could be the source of her ongoing pain. Elizabeth’s pain resolved (disappeared) for the first time since her injury and was therefore referred to the surgeon’s partner who was familiar with the SI joint and the iFuse Implant System.
While an SI joint fusion was recommended, her surgeon wanted to wait until Elizabeth was in her mid to late 20s to perform the procedure. Elizabeth wrote a heartfelt letter to the surgeon explaining her 5-year plight of debilitating and life-altering pain.
“I feel like I can do everything. Pain no longer dictates what I can or cannot do.”
Elizabeth
Update
After careful consideration, Elizabeth underwent the iFuse procedure in 2014. “There was pain after the surgery, but I knew it was temporary and I knew I could handle it after all I had been through.”
After surgery, Elizabeth used a walker/crutches for a short time and attended physical therapy which she felt was beneficial. Later the next year she resumed her role as a small group leader at her church and went on a Mission trip to Guatemala. Elizabeth now regularly swims, walks, uses an elliptical machine, and attends yoga classes. “I feel like I can do everything. Pain no longer dictates what I can or cannot do.”
The iFuse Implant System® is intended for sacroiliac fusion for the following conditions:
- 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.
- To augment immobilization and stabilization of the sacroiliac joint in skeletally mature patients undergoing sacropelvic fixation as part of a lumbar or thoracolumbar fusion.
- Acute, non-acute, and non-traumatic fractures involving the sacroiliac joint.
Healthcare professionals please refer to the Instructions For Use for indications, contraindications, warnings, and precautions at si-bone.com/label.
There are potential risks associated with iFuse procedures. They may not be appropriate for all patients, and all patients may not benefit. For information about the risks, visit: si-bone.com/risks.
SI-BONE, iFuse Implant System, iFuse TORQ, and SI Buddy are registered trademarks of SI-BONE, Inc. All other trademarks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners. ©2025 SI-BONE, Inc. All rights reserved. Patents si-bone.com
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