ID ad Diagnosing That Pain In Your Low Back (NAPS)—TIf you or someone you care about has low back pain, don’t resign yourself to lumbar spine surgery just yet. There’s a good chance the problem isn’t a disc, or even in the spine itself—it may be someplace else that’s easier to handle. The SI Situation Doctors today estimate that up to 25 percent of all low back pain actually originates in the sacroiliac (SI) joint, which is located in the pelvis just behind the hip. The SI joint bears and transfers weight and movement from your upper body to your legs, and over the years it can become arthritic and the ligaments can wear out. When that happens, low back complaints are usually the result. If you have trouble lying or sleep- practic manipulations, oral medications and steroid injection therapy—andall can be helpful. Some people also find relief from wearing a pelvic belt, which can provide support part of the time. tions or feel lower back pain when lifting, running or walking, the SI joint may be the source. “The SI joint is a significant cause of low back complaints, including pain and disability, which can mimic dise pain without actually originating from the lumbar spine,” said Ralph Rash- improve the symptoms only temporarily or not at all, surgery may be required. Traditional open surgery involves repairing and/or resurfacing the malfunctioning SI joint, but there’s also a new hightech procedure using small titanium implants to stabilize the joint. This minimally invasive sys- orthopedic surgeon. “All spine surgeons should include the SI joint as one of the first places to evalu- smaller incision and much less soft-tissue damage, so it is likely to heal more quickly and comfortably than traditional open surgery. Diagnosing your low back pain is the first step toward getting it fixed. And new technology is helping patients achieve that more quickly. ing comfortably in certain posi- baum, M.D., a board-certified ate in patients presenting with low back problems.” The Treatments One common way for a doctor to identify SI joint dysfunction is to inject Lidocaine, a local anesthetic, into the joint. If it relieves the pain temporarily, the joint is the likely source of the problem. There are multiple treatment options—physical therapy, chiro- SACROILIAC That back pain may not be coming from your spine, but from your sacroiliac (SI) joint, doctors say. However, if these alternatives tem, called iFuse, involves a much Learn More You can find more information about the iFuse Implant System at www.si-bone.com or (866) 7628594.
