Find a Buddy

Background

Keith was the passenger in a car that was broadsided in the late 1980’s. While Keith was not seriously injured, he did start to notice episodes of low back pain that would come and go over the years. In 2000, Keith started to experience pain in his right leg and hip. He was seen by numerous physicians who ordered epidural steroid injections, lumbar MRIs and physical therapy. It was determined he was experiencing “sciatica” and that his pain was coming from his lumbar spine. 

In 2006 and 2008, Keith underwent lumbar fusion surgeries. While the surgeries did decrease his low back pain symptoms slightly, his leg and hip pain persisted and became progressively worse. Keith was then referred to an orthopedic surgeon for a hip evaluation. It was determined his pain was now coming from his hip and he underwent a right total hip replacement in 2010. “I went through a series of back surgeries and a hip replacement and still had pain 24 hours a day. I was walking with a cane at this point, but mostly stayed at home missing birthdays, nights out and vacations. I could no longer go to the gym, garden, or ballroom dance. I had to give up walking my dog because the pain was so intense.”

Keith had lived with chronic, intractable pain for over 20 years and none of the procedures he underwent addressed his ongoing pain or symptoms. He decided to do his own research on the internet and found the SI-BONE website. “The more I read, the more it all fell into place. My pain could be coming from my SI joint and no one ever even looked at it. I would even put my finger on it and say, this is where it hurts!” 

He requested a list of surgeons in his area and scheduled a consultation. He was seen by an iFuse trained surgeon. He was given a thorough physical examination, including a routine MRI and all his previous medical records were reviewed. He underwent a series of provocative tests and was diagnosed with SI joint dysfunction and scheduled for surgery.

Update

In 2016, Keith underwent a right SI joint fusion utilizing the iFuse Implant System®. “When I woke up after the surgery there was no leg pain. Must be the anesthesia, I thought. The next day, no leg pain. Wow, I have no leg pain!” Keith utilized a walker at home for 3 weeks and recovery time was several months. Today, after his successful iFuse surgery, Keith is back to walking 2 miles a day without a cane, gardening, and working out at the gym. “Eventually, I would like to teach ballroom dancing.”