What Is Sacroiliac Joint Pain?
At the base of your spine, where the sacrum meets the iliac bones, sit two small joints that do a big job: absorbing shock, supporting your upper body, transferring weight and force between your upper body and legs when you walk, run, or move, and enabling movement between your torso and legs. These are your sacroiliac joints (SI joints).
When these joints become irritated or unstable—due to trauma, arthritis, pregnancy, or even repetitive strain—it can lead to Chronic SI Joint Pain, a condition that mimics many others. Lower back stiffness, hip discomfort, groin pain, and even leg weakness can all trace back to SI joint dysfunction.
And because SI joint pain often overlaps with symptoms of herniated discs or sciatica, it can be misdiagnosed for years. At HTX Pain Care, we see it often: people struggling to find relief because the true source of their pain hasn’t been identified. That’s why getting the right diagnosis is the first real step toward healing.
When Is Sacroiliac Joint Fusion Recommended?
Sacroiliac Joint Fusion isn’t the first treatment we turn to—but when conservative treatments no longer provide consistent relief, it becomes a powerful solution.
We may recommend SI Joint Fusion Surgery when:
- Pain persists after physical therapy, injections, or medications
- Instability in the joint is confirmed through diagnostics
- Everyday functions like walking, sitting, or standing become difficult
- Imaging shows inflammation or degeneration of the joint
- There’s significant SI Joint Dysfunction causing referred pain down the leg or into the lower back
…and the pain keeps interfering with your life. If the joint is chronically unstable or inflamed, and you’ve exhausted non-surgical options, SI joint fusion surgery may be your next step.
Our approach is to try conservative measures first. We don’t jump to surgery — but we also don’t let you stay stuck in chronic pain. When fusion is the right call, we walk with you every step of the way.
What Happens During the SI Joint Fusion Procedure?
Using minimally invasive techniques, our surgeons at HTX Pain Care create a small incision and guide specialized instruments to the joint using live imaging.
Here’s what to expect:
- The surgeon clears the joint space to prepare it for fusion.
- A titanium implant or bone graft is placed across the joint to stabilize it. These implants help stimulate bone growth, “fusing” the joint as it heals.
- Over time, the body builds new bone around the implant, permanently fusing the joint.
The procedure typically lasts under an hour. Patients often go home the same day and can start gentle movements shortly after. And unlike traditional open surgeries, our minimally invasive Sacroiliac Joint Fusion means less blood loss, fewer complications, and a faster return to normal life.
Benefits of Minimally Invasive SI Joint Fusion
Why are more people turning to SI joint fusion—and why now? Because this procedure offers:
- Rapid pain relief for stubborn Back Pain Relief Treatment cases
- Smaller incisions and less tissue disruption
- Lower infection and complication rates
- Shorter recovery periods
- Improved sitting and standing tolerance
- Reduced need for pain medication
- Enhanced ability to walk, work, and rest
For many, it’s the first time in years that movement doesn’t come with fear or fatigue. At HTX Pain Care, we’ve seen patients reclaim independence after years of immobility — also a reason for us to do what we do.
Recovery Timeline and What to Expect Post-Surgery
Recovery varies—but here’s the general timeline:
- First 1–2 weeks: Rest, ice, gentle movement. You’ll use a walker or crutches to reduce strain. Swelling and soreness are normal.
- Weeks 3–6: We’ll monitor healing and gradually introduce physical therapy. Focus will be on posture, gait correction, and strengthening nearby muscles.
- 3 months onward: Most people return to work and full activity with significantly reduced pain.
- Long-Term: Once fusion is complete, the joint no longer moves abnormally — and that’s what keeps the pain away.
Throughout recovery, our team at HTX Pain Care stays by your side — adjusting, encouraging, and helping you heal without guessing.
Risks and Considerations
Like any procedure, Sacroiliac Joint Fusion carries risks, though rare.
Complication Rate Breakdown:
- Overall complication rate: 3% to 6%
- Major complications (infection, nerve issues): Less than 2%
There is knowledge behind the experts who take all aspects into consideration before proceeding with a treatment plan. At HTX Pain Care, we assess not just the pain — but its root causes. That’s how we choose interventions with the highest chance of meaningful relief. Our team performs thorough pre-op evaluations and post-op follow-ups to ensure every patient feels safe, supported, and informed.
If you’re concerned about the risks, you’re not alone. But you’re also not without options—or hope.
Why Choose HTX Pain Care for SI Joint Fusion?
What sets us apart isn’t just our surgical skill—it’s our perspective. We believe chronic pain is more than just physical. It’s emotional, disruptive, isolating. And that’s why our treatment is more than medical—it’s personal.
At HTX Pain Care, we:
- Tailor treatment plans to each individual’s body, goals, and lifestyle and Precision Diagnostics by using advanced imaging and nerve mapping to identify the real source of pain.
- Minimally Invasive Focus – Less trauma, faster healing, and outcomes that last.
- Whole-Person Approach – We treat the joint and the related concerns— physical, emotional, functional with respect to treatment approach committed.
- Provide multidisciplinary Care—pain management, physical therapy, wellness support
- Experienced Specialists – Our team has successfully performed hundreds of fusion procedures with excellent outcomes.
Whether you’re seeking Sacroiliac Joint Pain Treatment in Houston or simply trying to get through the day with less pain, we’re here. Not to promise perfection—but to promise a path forward, confidence in movement, your ability to work, with painfree good health and peace of mind.
Final Thoughts
If you’re living with chronic SI joint pain and wondering if anything will finally work —our specialists take your medical history and health’s unique changes into thorough consideration, as experts in Pain Management, to work towards the goal of assisting you realize the pain relief.
Sacroiliac Joint Fusion can be life-changing. It isn’t the first step for everyone, but for those who need it, it can be the step forward they’ve been waiting for. We’ve helped countless patients reclaim movement, purpose, and quality of life after years of invisible suffering.
So, if you’re ready to start healing, we’re ready to listen, assess, and help you decide what’s best — for your spine, your painfree healthy life, and your future.
Relief is possible. And it starts here.