surgery – Living with Chronic Pains

SI joint fusion – Four weeks postop

Anterior View of the three SI joint implants Lateral View of the three SI joint implants I feel amazing! Praise God!! Was this the answer to my pain for all of these years. I’m about to start physical therapy so I can work on getting my balance back. It is still a little challenging toContinue reading “SI joint fusion – Four weeks postop”

Hope and Fear

I have a lot of uncertainty and pressure about the outcome of this SI joint fusion surgery for my chronic pain. It’s completely natural to have these concerns—chronic pain can be such a difficult, isolating experience, and when you place hope in a treatment, the stakes feel even higher. I will not know the outcomeContinue reading “Hope and Fear”

No going back now!

Thank you EVERYONE for the PRAYERS. Ok! It is done!! I underwent the minimally invasive SI joint fusion at Medical City Alliance Surgery Center with Dr. Braaksma today 10/17/2024. It took me 1.5 years to commit to this. https://si-bone.com/si-joint-pain-treatment/ifuse-implant-systems It is amazing that my surgeon sends me home with instructions for full weight bearing. IContinue reading “No going back now!”

SI joint injections

I am about to undergo another bilateral SI joint injection because my lower back/buttock pain is out of control. It has been way too long since my last injection. I think my last one was in April 2024, which only provided some relief for a few months. I held off on this next injection wayContinue reading “SI joint injections”

SPRINT denied

Well….Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas has denied the SPRINT nerve stimulator for my Sacroiliac joint. BUMMER! UTSW tried to convince my insurance, but SPRINT is still experimental and insurance said NOPE! Soooo…I am still waiting for technology and insurance to catch up with my chronic pain. Next, my physical medicine doctor will try andContinue reading “SPRINT denied”

The Sacroiliac Joint

I recovered well after my 3rd hip surgery in 2022. However, my Left SI joint is just not having it. I continue to see my pain management doctor every month, and receive SI joint injections every 3-6 months. In early 2023 My pain management doctor referred me to a spine specialist who offered to doContinue reading “The Sacroiliac Joint”

3rd hip surgery- 4 months of recovery

I continue to be very HAPPY with the outcome of this surgery. I am seeing my physical therapist about once a week and doing my strengthening exercises at home. I am picking up speed when I walk, as my stride is a little longer now. The past couple of weeks I have been trying toContinue reading “3rd hip surgery- 4 months of recovery”

3rd hip surgery- 3 months of recovery

For the most part, my debilitating chronic pain of 15 years is gone. I am thankful that I can take less pain medication and actually experience relief with sitting and lying down. I can actually tell that my hip bone is no longer “catching” on the pelvis when I flex my hip. However, I willContinue reading “3rd hip surgery- 3 months of recovery”

3rd hip surgery- 8 weeks of recovery

Check out below images of my hip! Can you see the rod and screws? Can you see where the intentional osteotomy (fracture) occurred? Can you see the bone fragments that “spewed” out the top of my femur? Crazy to think this is my leg now! I feel amazing. I am constantly smiling and my kidsContinue reading “3rd hip surgery- 8 weeks of recovery”

3rd Hip Surgery -First 2 Weeks of Recovery

I am now 2 weeks post op a proximal femoral rotational osteotomy and intramedullary fixation for a left femoral torsion. I had delayed this surgery for over a year due to fear of the immediate post op pain that I would face…and let me tell you, it was the absolute worst pain of my life!Continue reading “3rd Hip Surgery -First 2 Weeks of Recovery”