SI Joint keeps popping out..anyone else?

[tazdell]

I have had low back pain from herniations and DDD for quite sometime, but now my SI joint keep popping out and my PT says it is because I have overcompansated for pain for so long that my spine is unstable. When I went to a hip ortho, he said nothing is wrong, even though on my xray my hips are extremely crooked and unlevel. I can't stand when they say nothing is wrong after two seconds of seeing you. Something is wrong and it kills everytime it pops out. Has anyone else had this issue. I don't know what or who to go to for help. THanks for any input.

*tazdell*

[Justin]

Hi Tazdell,

Sorry about your pain. Can you explain what you mean when you say your SI joint is "popping out?"

I have never heard of this, as there is actually very little motion at this joint.

Justin

[tazdell]

You know..this is new to me also so excuse me for being completly uneducated about this...
All that I know is I will either hear or/and feel a pop near my low back on the right side and I immediately can't walk and have ton's of pain. I call my physical therapist he lays me down, pulls my leg from my ankle and it pop's back in. My PT is the one that said it is my Sacroiliac joint popping out. Maybe that is not true but something is truley popping out right near that area. I had an SI joint injection a couple of weeks ago, now when it does "pop" out at least it doesnt hurt there as bad, but causes pain elsewhere. That's what I know so far, your comment on that joint not having much motion interests me. I guess I just believed the doc without researching it on my own...let me know what you think!

*tazdell*

[Justin]

No worries tazdell... I wasn't trying to question what is going on with your body, I was just confused. Thanks for your response. I am glad that you are getting relief from your PT.

Keep us posted on your progress.

Justin

[Jessica]

I think I have the same thing in my thoracic spine. I find it helps to use a tens unit daily (or frequent massage) so the muscles stay loose and then it does not seem to happen.

[tazdell]

Thanks Jessica...how do you use a tens unit every day? Do you have to go to physical therapy to get that? I would love to do that but with three small kids I couldn't make it to an appt. every day. I have been going to a chiropracter the last two weeks, three times a week and am feeling so much better! He has been able to keep my joint in place...what a difference.

tazdell

[Jessica]

I wear a unit that looks like a pager and has wires and "sticky pads". I know it sounds cumbersome, but I have a very active life and wear it all day at work. I have seen a belt style that may work better for you to hold the pads in place. If wearing it all day does not work, then when you sit down at night (haha) for an hour would help keep the muscles loose. It was prescribed by my spine doc, I had to pay for it but it was worth every penny. Before I had it I was going to massage weekly to get the knots out.

[JudyW]

Mine 'pops" out also. My PT does a push pull thing with my knees bent. I discussed this at length with my ortho and he also said there is very little motion at this area but finally conceded that orthos don't really acknowledge SI joint issues because there's nothing they can do about them and no real way to do scientific tests to diagnose it. They only like to work on things they can fix. I guess it's like ignoring the elephant in the corner. Lots of people seem to have this issue but no one but PT's acknowledge it. Sad because it can be painful. Feels much better when it is back in place (or whatever actually happens).

[Don]

A local surgeon (Dr. Bruce Dall) has fused about 100 SI joints in his career. There was an interesting local news article recently about his work with SI fusion and they interviewed some of his patients. The ones they interviewed felt that it helped them tremendously.

Not to imply you need fusion, but he claims the SI joint is under-investigated and he also claims that good PT and conservative therapy can resolve over 95% of SI issues. Fusion is a last resort, but needed in some patients with bad arthritis there, or other damage.

Good luck.

Don

[FUZZDOG]

Hi...

Ask your pt, doc, about wearing an "active SI belt". Maybe you will get some benefit.
I know SI problems are very common after lumbar fusions due to the change in back mechanics.
I am experiencing si joint issues myself now having a 4 level l2-l3-l4-l5-s1 plif with instrumentation in 11/07. I have also heard others with severe ddd have expereinced si issues prior to surgery as well.
I have just been instructed to wear the si belt and mine is on order around 42$ U.S. should be getting it this week I will let you know if it helps. Make sure you check first with your physio before you start to wear it and good luck.
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