SI Joint Fusion (Sacroiliac Joint)

The SI joints are two joints in the back of the pelvis that cause approximately 8-15% of back pain.

An SI joint fusion stabilizes and takes away the painful motion in the SI joint.

  • After anesthesia and local numbing medicine is given, a ~3 inch x-ray guided incision is made above the hip.


    Special retractors and pins are placed across the SI joint, and the fusion implants are placed with the help of x-ray.

    The wound is checked for bleeding and the incision is sutured closed. The approximate surgical time is ~1 hour.

  • Take away the painful motion of the SI joint

  • Patients will typically spend one night in the hospital.

    For approximately the first month after the procedure, patients need a crutch on the side of surgery to avoid full weight-bearing. The bone needs time to heal and fuse, which will take 6-12 weeks.

    Return to work times vary, some people are able to return to light work 1 week after surgery. For those with a physically demanding job, return to work may not happen until at least 6 weeks after surgery.

  • Pain to decrease by at least 50% and lumbar function to improve by 50%.

  • There is no surgery without risks, they include but are not limited to: bad reaction to anesthesia, increase in low back pain, wound healing issues, surgical site infection, bone fracture, prolonged pain, nerve injury, and the need for additional surgery including fusion.