Does anyone else have SI Joint disorder?

[lyzziesmom]

If you do, how do you deal with the constant pain?

I have degenerative arthritis in my SI joint (between the spine and pelvis) and they are calling it SI Joint Disorder. Basically I experience stiffness and am in pain whenever I do the same thing for more than a few minutes, whether it is standing, sitting, lying down, walking... anything. I have tried cortisone injections and RF ablation of the nerves, with no positive results. It's getting so bad that even my DD2 says "Back hurt, Mommy?" almost every day. I am managing the pain with medication, but even that usually doesn't help, it just takes the edge off and dulls the pain somewhat.

I know I can't be the only person who deals with this.

 

[zumbergc]

I have SI joint problems. Mostly I have pain in my right hip.
My right hip pops out where its not suppose to go, doing basic everyday things, cleaning, working, and when I'm sleeping (if i roll and twist funny).
My tailbone is constantly moving where its not suppose to be causing pain too. My SI joint causes me all kinds of issues. The pain at the top of the SI joint, i have that too, but its alot more minor than other areas of the SI joint pain i have.

I use a chiropractor who adjusts, and pops things back where things are suppose to go. I also use massage therapists, they relax the muscles around the areas to get things to stay better.

I've also started going to an accupuncture doctor. I'm still on the fence about this. It definitely gets me to relax, and pain does go down, but it doesn't seem to last that long.

My biggest problem it was 2 years after the problem started before I started getting care for it from a chiropractor or massage therapist. Regular docs, orthopedic docs, were like we don't know why you are in pain. They would just give me pain pills, and back then i would ice a lot because it would numb the pain. I was in physical therapy, the people i had didn't know what was wrong, didn't have a clue, and in one case I ripped a bunch of muscles because of the horrible therapist. I mean if i had found a regular doc who knew what was wrong, and actually told me and pointed me to a super great PT person, maybe things would have healed better.

But, when it took so long to find something that helped, I have lots of scar tissue, and lots of things like to go back wrong since they were like that for quit some time. Plus, i've been in a car accident ripping, and damaging some of the areas that were all healed.

If your looking for a good massage therapist. Ask, ask ask around. You want to find someone who does deep tissue work. SInce your in tons of pain, I also suspect along w. the joint pain, you have lots of muscles that are out of place and trying to take the load off.
Ask people you know who have had car accidents and sports injuries, if they know a good massage therapise. A massage therapist does way better than the 3-10 min of massage work a physical therapist does. At least that was my case. Your not looking for someone who does a relaxation massage. If your friends just get relaxing massage, keep looking for someone who gets deep tissue work.
You may also have lots of knots in your glutes, in many spots in your back, and in your legs which can also be aggrivating whats going on in the SI joint. A good therapist can un lock the knots in a the right order to get things to release. Every person is different, but some inexperienced deep tissue massage people try the push as hard as possible to get a knot to release. I have cascading knots up my back, glutes and down my legs. Some won't go away unless others are releived first. Inexperienced massage people don't know that, or don't know what other places to look for knots to release those first, then work on others. THe inexperienced, push harder, push even harder, they seemed obsessed w/ one set of knots, and in reality do absolutely nothing.
They get focused on where most my pain is, but end doing nothing in the end because as soon as I get up and walk a few steps, the knots are all back.

Same w/ the chiropractor. Ask around, talk to lots of people.
FYI, the chiropractor should not adjust your back, pelvis unless they have seen your x-rays or taken new ones. I've heard people being adjusted w/out doing x-rays... run if you find someone like that.

I'm guessing all the docs told you to strenthen your low back and stomach muscles.
When I'm in lots of pain, getting in the pool really helps to take the pain off the back. Especially if you have a water belt on and just kind of float, and do your exercises with the belt on.
THe deaper you are in the water, the lighter you are, so less weight on you feel on the joints.

One thing that helps me is to concentrate on figuring out what things I do on a regular basis, and try to modify how I do things so I do not aggrivate my condition. Especially important is when I get in a car. Sit butt first then swing the legs in together, not one at a time. Kind of squeeze the legs, glutes tight when you pivot your feet in the car. FOr me the pivoting, scooting in, i pop my hip out really easily. One leg in, then when I twist around with one leg out, I almost instantly pop my hip out.
It takes practice.

Also be aware of your feet placement. Since its your pelvis. Sitting, you don't want to be crossing your legs, tilts the pelvis sideways, one higher than the other. When you sit, try your best to sit up straight. Also, keep the heels of your feet under your knees. When you sit with one leg out, or under the chair, again your tilt your pelvis some. It's anoying always sitting properly. As you have more practice your stomach gets use to it and it gets easier, and you can slowly sit properly longer. Same thing when standing, don't do the leaning, equally distribute your weight between both legs, don't lean w/ more weight one leg for periods of time.



Good luck, keep looking for more alternative until you find what works best for you. Some of these tips have helped me a lot. Since everyones injuries are different, some may not be of use for your particular area. They could give you ideas of things to look out for and see if they are causing more pain or not.

I know not everyone likes alternative care. If you don't feel comfortable or get an akward feeling from someones tips, or a professional, well just keep on looking. Many times that gut feeling is right.
I waited many months, if not over a year until I felt massage and chiropractic care was something I needed. I really regreted waiting so long.
Connie

 

[Earstou]

Connie,
Have you ever heard of Ehler Danlos Syndrome (EDS)? Specifically the hypermobility type. I don't know much about it, but thought I would mention it since it involves dislocating joints.
From the Ehlers-Danlos National Foundation at
http://www.ednf.org/medical/content/view/59/31/ :

The Hypermobility Type is the most prevalent form of EDS. Generalized joint hypermobility is the dominant clinical manifestation of Hypermobility Type EDS. Recurring joint subluxations and dislocations are common occurences. Certain joints, such as the shoulder, patella and temporomandibular joint dislocate frequently.

Chronic joint and limb pain is a common complaint among individuals with Hypermobility Type EDS despite normal skeletal x-rays. Musculoskeletal pain is early onset, chronic and may be debilitating. The anatomical distribution is wide and tender points can sometimes be elicted.

 

[lyzziesmom]

Connie, Thank you for the great advice! A lot of what you described is things I have been through, such as the physical therapy, the water exercises, the deep tissue massage. A lot of it is things I'm already trying to practice, such as the sitting properly and getting in/out of the car. I just find that I am still in so much pain. Sometimes it's not even all that bad, it's just that it's so constant. I will read your post again and I think when my new health insurance takes effect in January I will see if I can find a new doctor. I have been seeing a pain specialist, and he is the one who just wants to keep sending me back to PT - I've done it three times and I don't feel it was effective - and keep giving me narcotics. He said there is nothing else they can do. It's heartening to see that I maybe do have other alternatives, I just have to keep trying.

 

[CJRN]

Hi,

I have SI (sacroiliac) joint dysfunction. Mine will slip out of place for asolutetly NO reason. I have been an RN for 20 yrs, and have not been able to do hospital type nursing in many years, because my body can not handle it.

I had been diagnosed by an osteopathic doctor. He is able to pop it right back, and the pain is gone. However, he is very busy, and is not always available, so I started going to a local chiropractor. She has been able to pop things back and help (I do prefer the osteopath tho).

Let me check around, I may have some sites saved on my computer. Boy when it goes out, I can not do a thing, sometimes not even make it upstairs to my bed for a few days. Luckily DH, and kids are very supportive, and do what needs to be done, including bringing me my food, and pain meds as I lay on the couch for a few days......it stinks!

Oh, I had injections (not cortisone), can't think of it................p-something. 'll get back to you on that, but it's a sugar solution injected into the joint, which irritates the area, and the ligaments form new bonds, which is supposed to strengthen the area, and I know it has helped me so some extent.

Hugs!

 

[CJRN]

Here's some info/websites. As always, check with your doctor/health care provider before doing any of the following.


http://www.sidysfunction.com

http://www.losethebackpain.com/sacroiliacjointdysfunction.html

http://www.back.com/articles-exercises.html


I am actually embarking on doing better with my nutrition, and re-starting yoga, strectching. I have Chronic Myofascial Pain, so have been dealing with alot of physical stuff for at least 13yrs, and am only 42yrs. I'm not a big person, only 10 pounds heavier than I should be.

Some days it's all I can do is take muscle relaxors, and pain pills.....stinks really. Just telling you all of this, so that you know you are not alone.

 

[CJRN]

Just found the injections therapy I had...PROLOTHERAPY. It's not fun, it's painful, had it a few times, and really believe it has helped.

Best of luck, and keep in touch!

 

[zumbergc]

Earstou,

Thanks for the info. I saw stuff about this a while back, and I probably do have some of those issues when I read about it the hypermobility.
Its one of those things, thats in the back of my mind. I don't really like my GP doc, and need to venture out and get a new one tp get more help w/ the joint issues I have. Right now, when I have muscle issues, I don't even bother going to see my GP, because he only gives me pills, he looks at me clueless.

Thanks,

 

[brandycraggs]

i have read through some of the post and i have some of the same issues.

I am only 21, i was in a car accident 08/01/08, had no problems before then... stuff started hurting so i went to pt, however the place my dr sent me to didnt know what they were doing. My muscle were torn and weak and they had me doing exercises and lifting weights... needless to say i ask to be referred to a speacialist.. 6 months after the car accident i went to a pain management clinic and the dr looked me over and found that my right si joint was out.. got that back in place went through a lot of pt, and now a year later my left si joint keeps going out, it has gone out twice in 2 months..

the first time i didnt know what was wrong i had an apt with my normal dr and we checked for kidney stones and bladder infection (of course everything came back fine) so i went to my normal pt and he said it was out and to go back to the pain management clinic, so i went back it was out they put it back, i had a follow up apt 3 weeks later went in for accupunture and the si was out again...

by the way accupunture is awesome.. i had this done when i first went to pain management and i am starting to do it again.. i think it is better than any kind of medicine or anything very relaxing!! if the dr is good he knows what points to put the needles!! it really work i am a believer in it!!

anyways so this is where i am at right now, just had my si joint put back in and waiting for my next apt ... again im just turning 21 on monday the 22nd....

 

[MistyNH]

Hey. I have no clue what I did, but I popped my SI out a few days ago. I was in sheer agony from the rubbing it caused at the top of my butt crack! I honestly had no clue what was wrong with me cause I've never had it happen before. I actually thought a spider must have bit me. I blamed it on the spider because we have a really old house\dirt basement.

Anyways, I found a yoga exercise that popped mine back in. I had to try it a couple times before it worked right cause I've never done yoga in my life.

Here goes:

Lie on your back on the floor with knees bent together and butt bent off to the side. Roll your butt back and forth so the SI portion of your body has contact with the floor. If you feel any "pokey" part rubbing on the floor, then that means its slipped out and its out on that side. Doing this on thick carpeting or carpet with an exercise mat on would be best. Not a wooden\linoleum floor.

Next lie completely flat on your back. Bend one leg up to your stomach and hold it in that position. Stretch the other leg straight out as far as it will possibly go and flap it up and down numerous times. Repeat with the other leg. While I was flapping mine and the SI part kept kind of contacting the floor, it was actually able to push itself back into position. I heard it painlessly crack back into place and immediately was able to get up and walk around pain free.

The only pain I have at the moment is just some slight residual pain where it caused rubbing on the thin skin at the top of my crack. I'm sure that will fade off in a couple days. I put some bacitracin and vaseline on the chaffed part. I do still plan on going to the chiropractor because I have had problems in the past with my neck coming out of place. I just want to make absolutely sure everything is in alignment now. Especially since I read this joint is not really supposed to come out of place. If this helps anyone that's great. It definitely helped me, so I figured I'd pass it along. I spent 3 days in agony before I happened across some website on yoga that explained it. I couldnt get to a chiropractor when it happened due to the holiday, so it was either try like heck to fix it, or spend more days in agony! Needless to say I was like a dog with a bone trying to fix myself. LOL Good luck to anyone else out there currently with this issue.

Misty