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Sherry's Story
- Location
- Wisconsin
- Back Story
- SI Joint Trauma
- iFuse Implant Procedure Date
- March, 2015 Left side
"It is great that I no longer have to worry about how far my gates are at the airport, or how far I will have to walk."
Background
In March of 2008, Sherry was playing racquet ball and lunged to her left. She felt an immediate pain in her left groin and SI joint area. Over the next several years, Sherry saw many physicians who believed her groin and back pain were coming from her lumbar spine and treated her with physical therapy, epidural steroid injections, and massage. These treatments did not help Sherry’s pain.
An orthopedic surgeon diagnosed a torn labrum in Sherry’s left hip for which she eventually had surgery, but unfortunately, her pain persisted. Her physician suspected her SI joint might be the source of her pain and suggested she consult a spine surgeon. She was assessed by the spine surgeon’s physician assistant who performed several provocative tests that indeed indicated her pain could be coming from her SI joint.
Sherry was sent for a confirmatory diagnostic SI joint injection and had a very favorable response (the injection addressed the pain). She continued to work full-time and had to delay surgery to take care of sick loved ones in her home. Her activity level continued to decrease. She could no longer sit or stand for long periods of time, and could not walk long distances. “I would have to prioritize what I needed to get done before the pain made it impossible.”
“My SI joint and groin pain where gone when I got up to walk around the first time."
Sherry
Update
In March 2015, Sherry underwent the iFuse procedure. She recalls arriving to her hospital room after surgery and the physical therapist helping her walk. “My SI joint and groin pain where gone when I got up to walk around the first time. I didn’t have much pain post-operatively.”
Sherry used a walker for a short time after the procedure and was able to walk on the track at the gym several times a week. Sherry was able to resume working half-days from home several weeks after the procedure. Sherry is no longer restricted in her activities and has resumed swimming, water aerobics, Pilates, and enjoying her favorite hobby, photography. “I can get on the floor and play with my grandkids. It was so frustrating to go to so many doctors and have them tell you nothing is wrong. I am very thankful that my surgeon was able to diagnose my condition. I was afraid that I was going to be in pain the rest of my life.”
The SI Buddy® program is reserved for patients who have been diagnosed by a trained surgeon and recommended for the iFuse procedure. SI Buddy volunteers have been successfully treated with the iFuse Implant System®. Although many patients have benefited from treatment with the iFuse Implant System, patients' results may vary. They are not medical professionals and their statements should not be interpreted as medical advice.
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 immobilization and stabilization of the sacroiliac joint in skeletally mature patients undergoing sacropelvic fixation as a part of a lumbar or thoracolumbar fusion. In addition, 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.
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