SI joint injections for leg pain (post-op spinal fusion w/ screws in pelvis)

[susancook]

Has anyone had SI joint steroid inj for post-op Leg pain? I have a spinal fusion with pelvic screws and have mid L buttocks pain. This occurs when i walk. My pain management MD thinks that SI joint steroid injection might relieve the pain. I did not have this pain before surgery. Thanks, Susan

[tiona24]

Had one about 6 weeks ago

Hi Susan, I had a steroid injection in my hip joint about 6 weeks ago. After 2 weeks, I had not seen any improvement. I had begun seeing a new physical therapist at that point, and she began treating my fascia. She gave me a medicated patch with batteries in it- the medication was an inflammation reducer, and the batteries (which were flat, like hearing aid batteries) forced positive/negative ions into the joint to stimulate blood flow in the muscle (if I am translating that correctly). I immediately felt relief. My pain doctor told me the injection could take a couple days to kick in, and both of my physical therapists told me they have had patients that it took a couple weeks, and the newer therapist said she often saw results when adding this patch to the injection site. So, I'm not sure what exactly improvement was from- but if I had to do it again, I would start with this therapist and the patch, and then do an injection if the patch doesn't work on its own. It likely was a combination of both, but, I think steroid injections should be a last resort.

Good Luck!

Tiona

[WLB1]

Hi, Susan,

I had two,one in each several weeks ago. Relief was instant and immense. It was a new pain for me as well. The main pain was located in the back of my hip, centered near my sacrum. It radiated up my side and down my leg on the outer side to my knee. It was not a constant pain, more a come and go thing related to my activity. My pain management PA tested for it by having me draw my leg up to my shoulder and twisting the bent leg to the side as far as it would go. Ow means it's positive for SI joint. She said that having the pelvis be fused to the sacrum puts an extra heavy load on the SI joints. Inflammation builds up and if left unabated can destroy it. Go for the shots. After what you've been through they are no biggie!

[susancook]

Hi Susan, I had a steroid injection in my hip joint about 6 weeks ago. After 2 weeks, I had not seen any improvement. I had begun seeing a new physical therapist at that point, and she began treating my fascia. She gave me a medicated patch with batteries in it- the medication was an inflammation reducer, and the batteries (which were flat, like hearing aid batteries) forced positive/negative ions into the joint to stimulate blood flow in the muscle (if I am translating that correctly). I immediately felt relief. My pain doctor told me the injection could take a couple days to kick in, and both of my physical therapists told me they have had patients that it took a couple weeks, and the newer therapist said she often saw results when adding this patch to the injection site. So, I'm not sure what exactly improvement was from- but if I had to do it again, I would start with this therapist and the patch, and then do an injection if the patch doesn't work on its own. It likely was a combination of both, but, I think steroid injections should be a last resort.

Good Luck!

Tiona

Thanks, Tiona. If you could get more information on the name of the inflammation reducer. Sounds interesting and I would love to talk to my PT about it and look it up on the Internet. Glad that you are finding relief. Susan

[susancook]

Hi, Susan,

I had two,one in each several weeks ago. Relief was instant and immense. It was a new pain for me as well. The main pain was located in the back of my hip, centered near my sacrum. It radiated up my side and down my leg on the outer side to my knee. It was not a constant pain, more a come and go thing related to my activity. My pain management PA tested for it by having me draw my leg up to my shoulder and twisting the bent leg to the side as far as it would go. Ow means it's positive for SI joint. She said that having the pelvis be fused to the sacrum puts an extra heavy load on the SI joints. Inflammation builds up and if left unabated can destroy it. Go for the shots. After what you've been through they are no biggie!

Just tried your maneuver....not sure that I got it right. What direction do You pull your leg up? Front, I assume and I tried the twist. Yes, it hurt and right now my whole butt and leg hurts. It still hurts. Something is irritated anyway. Thanks for the information and glad that you had relief. I have it scheduled on Monday at 0730. Similar to you, I have never had a problem with any systemic problem with corticosteroid injections. I do worry about the effect that steroids can have on the bone, so hopefully both of us will not need too many injections. Thanks for the information. Susan

[loves to skate]

Has anyone had SI joint steroid inj for post-op Leg pain? I have a spinal fusion with pelvic screws and have mid L buttocks pain. This occurs when i walk. My pain management MD thinks that SI joint steroid injection might relieve the pain. I did not have this pain before surgery. Thanks, Susan

Susan,
I have had steroid injections in my SI joint for pain in my left buttock and I really didn't get any relief. Some people get relief from them and some don't. If you decide to get one, I sincerely hope that it works for you. Take care, Sally

[gardener]

Iontophoresis

Susan,

I haven't had surgery but have chronic SI joint pain and the injections have failed because the Drs. said I had too much arthritis which prevents proper needle placement. Anyway, my physiatrist has done a series of the patch procedures and it's called iontophoresis. A steroid medicine was placed on patch and then transmitted transdermally. These treatments have worked very well for me with one caveat. My doctor recommended a series of 10-12 treatments, 2-3x per week for several weeks but I developed a rash after a few treatments each time. The rash was akin to a localized bout of poison ivy. Despite the rash, I kept going for 5-6 treatments and the relief lasted many months. My current insurer limited these treatments but I'll have a new policy/insurer in January and I'll try it again. The relief lasted much longer than the rash, by many months. The second time I had the treatment, a different steroid formulation was used and that was slightly better, but the rash began eventually.

[susancook]

Susan,

I haven't had surgery but have chronic SI joint pain and the injections have failed because the Drs. said I had too much arthritis which prevents proper needle placement. Anyway, my physiatrist has done a series of the patch procedures and it's called iontophoresis. A steroid medicine was placed on patch and then transmitted transdermally. These treatments have worked very well for me with one caveat. My doctor recommended a series of 10-12 treatments, 2-3x per week for several weeks but I developed a rash after a few treatments each time. The rash was akin to a localized bout of poison ivy. Despite the rash, I kept going for 5-6 treatments and the relief lasted many months. My current insurer limited these treatments but I'll have a new policy/insurer in January and I'll try it again. The relief lasted much longer than the rash, by many months. The second time I had the treatment, a different steroid formulation was used and that was slightly better, but the rash began eventually.

Just a suggestion and you have probably already thought about this....my guess is that you may be allergic to the vehicle that carries the steroid or the adhesive in the patch. Another possibility....any chance that Your rash is shingles (usually phenomenally painful, but maybe the steroid mediated the pain?) Just some thoughts. Thanks for the suggestions. I will look it up on the Internet.

Susan

[susancook]

SI steroid inj successful!

I am pleased to report that the SI joint corticosteroid injection greatly decreased my mid buttocks pain. I am very pleased! I was anxious to have relief and of course wanted the pain to decrease IMMEDIATELY....but it took about a week and the pain is gone! Funny thing about pain, but it took me an entire day to realize that the inj worked. It actually took me a day to miss the pain! I suddenly realized that my butt pain was gone, hallelujah! Susan

[JenniferG]

Great news Susan. Long may it work.

[PeggyS]

That's great, Susan! I'm glad you're getting some relief!

[loves to skate]

Susan,
So glad to hear the steroid helped you.
Sally

[WLB1]

It is wonderful relief, isn't it? And the shot, not a problem!

[susancook]

It is great not to have the L butt pain. Hope that the steroid last for months!.....maybe forever!
Susan

[Doodles]

I hope it lasts forever too, Susan! That's great news. Janet