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.

SI Joint Dysfunction