Sacroiliac Joint (SIJ) Fusion Treatment

Living with sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain can feel like carrying a burden that never lifts. Whether it’s a sharp ache in the lower back, pain radiating through the hips and legs, or difficulty standing, walking, or sleeping—SI joint dysfunction can disrupt every part of your daily life.

Fortunately, lasting relief is possible with minimally invasive SIJ Fusion —a proven solution designed to restore stability, reduce pain, and help you get back to living life on your terms. If conservative treatments like physical therapy, injections, and medications have failed, this could be the breakthrough you’ve been waiting for.

What is an SIJ Fusion Treatment?

When the SI joint becomes unstable due to injury, arthritis, degeneration, or inflammation, it can cause chronic pain and functional limitations. Sacroiliac joint fusion is a minimally invasive procedure that combats this by permanently joining the sacrum and the ilium—the two bones that form the joint—thereby stabilizing the SI joint.

Using small incisions and specialized instruments, a physician places implants or bone grafts to fuse the joint and eliminate painful movement. The procedure can be performed under local anesthesia, and is designed to be safe, efficient, and highly targeted.

The Benefits of SIJ Fusion

Compared to traditional open spinal surgeries, SIJ fusion offers a streamlined approach that minimizes tissue disruption and promotes faster healing. It focuses on restoring stability to a critical load-bearing joint, reducing pain at its source.

Other benefits of the SIJ Fusion include:

• Minimally invasive technique: Small incisions mean less trauma and scarring
• Reduced pain and improved stability: Especially for those with SIJ dysfunction
• Outpatient: Patients go home the same day
• Faster recovery: Return to light activity within a few weeks
• Lower risk of complications: Preserves surrounding muscles and soft tissue
• Long-term results: Effective pain relief and improved quality of life over time

 Conditions Commonly Treated with SIJ Fusion

SIJ fusion is most commonly used to treat sacroiliac joint dysfunction resulting from various causes. These may include:

• Sacroiliac joint arthritis or inflammation (sacroiliitis)
• Degenerative changes from aging or wear and tear
• Joint instability due to injury, trauma, or hypermobility
• Pelvic or spinal alignment issues
• Pain after lumbar fusion surgery (adjacent segment disease)

If your SI joint is the source of your chronic lower back, pelvic, or leg pain, SIJ fusion may be the most effective long-term solution.

What to Expect During a Sacroiliac Joint Fusion

The procedure is typically performed under local anesthesia with IV sedation. A small incision is made near the buttock, allowing the physician to access the SI joint with the help of fluoroscopic (real-time X-ray) guidance.

Once the joint is properly visualized, specialized instruments are used to prepare the area and place small implants—often made of titanium or other biocompatible materials—to stabilize and fuse the joint. The procedure usually takes about an hour, and patients are monitored briefly before being discharged home.

SIJ Fusion Recovery Timeline

Recovery from minimally invasive SIJ Fusion is much quicker than traditional open spine surgeries. Most patients are up and walking the same day, with some soreness at the surgical site.

Typical recovery milestones include:

• Days 1–3: Resume light movement with limited activity
• Weeks 1–2: Return to most daily activities with mild restrictions
• Weeks 4–6: Begin physical therapy if recommended
• 3–6 months: Continued healing and bone fusion; full return to activity depending on individual progress

Patients often begin to notice significant pain relief within a few weeks, with continued improvement over time.

Who is a Candidate?

You may be a strong candidate for SIJ fusion if:

• You experience chronic low back, hip, or buttock pain that often worsens with standing, walking or transitional movements (like sit to stand)
• Diagnostic tests and injections have confirmed your SI joint as the source of pain
• Conservative treatments (e.g., physical therapy, injections or medications) have not provided lasting relief
• You want a long-term, minimally invasive solution to restore SIJ stability and function

Our board-certified physiatrists at Desert Spine and Sports Physicians specialize in diagnosing and treating SI joint dysfunction. If your symptoms align, we’ll work with you to determine if SIJ fusion is the right path forward.

Take Action Against Pain — Schedule an Appointment Today

If you’re living with persistent pain from SI joint dysfunction and conservative treatments haven’t brought the relief you need, it may be time to consider a lasting solution. Schedule an appointment with the board-certified physiatrists at Desert Spine and Sports Physicians today and take the next step toward a more stable, pain-free future.