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My back pain started when I was 30 years old. I was sweeping the porch one day and felt a sharp pain in my back that radiated down the back of my right leg making it difficult for me to stand. I had surgery for a herniated disc, that relieved my leg pain, but the back pain remained. I managed for years taking over the counter medication and rest.

I have been seeing a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician for over 10 years. I have tried numerous conservative treatment options including medications, minor procedures and epidural steroid injections. They all gave some pain relief, but it only lasted for short periods of time. I was having significant pain with walking, standing at the sink doing dishes and sitting. My physician suggested we try a diagnostic SI joint injection. I had significant pain relief immediately of my low back pain.

He suggested I might benefit from an SI joint stabilization/fusion procedure utilizing the iFuse INTRA X^® Allograft Implant System. I agreed and had a right SI joint stabilization/fusion in November 2025. The procedure was done in an outpatient ambulatory surgery center (ASC) and lasted about an hour. I had light sedation and a local anesthetic at the procedure site for anesthesia. I was able to walk out of the surgery unassisted and go home. I was told no bending or heavy lifting for 2 weeks. I had my surgery 2 days before Thanksgiving and was worried I would be in pain following my procedure and it would ruin my family gathering. While I had some discomfort for a few days, Thanksgiving with my family was not interrupted. I can now drive, walk and stand at the kitchen sink and even do dishes pain free. It has been over 40 years since I have had relief from my back pain!.