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Richard's Story
- Location
- Tennessee
- Back Story
- SI Joint Degeneration
- iFuse Implant Procedure Date
- September, 2011 Right side | November, 2011 Left side
Although many patients have benefited from treatment from iFuse procedures, patients' results may vary. SI Buddies are not medical professionals, and their statements should not be interpreted as medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider if you think any of this information may apply to you.
"I couldn’t believe that my local news channel was featuring a doctor on TV who was talking about the same SI joint pain that I was experiencing."
Background
There was no single event that triggered Richard’s SI joint pain, but he believes that his years of waterskiing contributed to his degenerative sacroiliitis. In 1996, Richard first felt a sharp pain in his upper buttocks that would flare up every now and then. The flare ups typically lasted a day or two and would go away. But the pain began to return more frequently and with more intensity. Richard was under the care of a physical therapist for several years, but it wasn’t until 2000 that Richard received his first SI joint injection. For the next 11 years, Richard continued with conservative treatments, consisting of SI joint injections and physical therapy. Richard learned about the iFuse Implant System® while watching the local news one evening and investigated further.
"I can't imaging what my life would have been like today if it were not for the iFuse procedure. I am very grateful."
Richard
Update
In September 2011, Richard had his first iFuse Implant procedure, which was performed on his right SI joint. Two weeks after his surgery, his pain level had decreased significantly and he was feeling better and stronger as each day passed. By the end of the sixth week, Richard and his doctor scheduled the iFuse procedure on the left side. The results of the second surgery were equally as successful. Today Richard has returned to work and continues to be a strong contributor to his team and is depended on heavily. "I can't imaging what my life would have been like today if it were not for the iFuse procedure. I am very grateful."
The SI Buddy® program is reserved for patients who have been diagnosed by a trained surgeon and recommended for the iFuse procedure. SI Buddy volunteers have been successfully treated with an iFuse procedure.
The iFuse Implant System® is intended for sacroiliac fusion for the following conditions:
- Sacroiliac joint dysfunction that is a direct result of sacroiliac joint disruption and degenerative sacroiliitis. This includes conditions whose symptoms began during pregnancy or in the peripartum period and have persisted postpartum for more than 6 months.
- To augment immobilization and stabilization of the sacroiliac joint in skeletally mature patients undergoing sacropelvic fixation as part of a lumbar or thoracolumbar fusion.
- Acute, non-acute, and non-traumatic fractures involving the sacroiliac joint.
If present, a pelvic fracture should be stabilized prior to the use of iFuse implants.
Healthcare professionals should refer to the Instructions For Use for indications, contraindications, warnings, and precautions at https://si-bone.com/label.
There are potential risks associated with iFuse procedures. They may not be appropriate for all patients and all patients may not benefit. For information about the risks, visit https://si-bone.com/risks
SI-BONE, iFuse Implant System, iFuse TORQ, and SI Buddy are registered trademarks of SI-BONE, Inc. All other trademarks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners. ©2025 SI-BONE, Inc. All rights reserved. Patents si-bone.com
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