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I had an L5-S1 lumbar fusion when I was 26 years old. I had low back pain, and pain that radiated down the back of both legs. The surgery relieved my back and leg pain for 9 years. My pain symptoms in the low back eventually returned and now included a stabbing pain in my buttock area. I had a second lumbar fusion surgery that included L4-L5. I had no relief from my pain following the second surgery. In fact, my symptoms were worse after the second lumbar fusion. I was now unable to stand or sit without pain. The pain affected my work and family life. I eventually had to leave my job and go on disability. I found a pain management physician who recommended a pain pump. This did relieve some of my pain. Unfortunately, I reacted to both the Morphine and Dilaudid that was administered through the pump. I was referred to another pain management physician who was able to find a medication combination that I could tolerate. It did provide some pain relief. I was also prescribed narcotic pain medication. I had numerous steroid injections into my lumbar spine, and I had multiple CT scans, but no new problem was identified. While all these non-surgical treatments provided some short temporary relief, my back, leg and buttock pain remained. I eventually had a spinal column stimulator implanted which did provide some relief for several years.

My pain management physician was retiring, so I was referred to my current pain management physician in 2020. We continued with spinal injections, pain medication, and managed my spinal column stimulator, although my stimulator had become less effective over time. He suggested we try an SI joint injection to address the stabbing, pinching pain in my buttock area. The injection provided immediate relief from both my leg and buttock pain. He explained that an SI joint fusion utilizing the iFuse INTRA X® Allograft Implant System could provide longer term pain relief.

In December 2024 I had a left SI joint fusion. It was done in an ambulatory surgery center (ASC), and I had sedation and local anesthetic for anesthesia. I went home after surgery and was told to take it” slow” for a few weeks. I was encouraged to walk often and not lift anything heavy. My recovery was relatively easy. My leg and buttock pain slowly improved. It took about a month till I felt the full effect of the surgery. I am so happy with the outcome of this procedure. I can sit and stand without pain, and I am back to all my daily activities.