Complications following SI dysfunction

[Rene__0]

  Since 8/98 I had been experiencing low back pain.  An X-ray showed a mild to moderate narrowing of the L5/S1 vertebrae.  No disk problems showed up on a subsequent MRI.  My physician suggested physical therapy - she suspected mild osteoarthritis.  The therapist diagnosed SI dysfunction - my hips were out of alignment.  She adjusted it and I felt terrific.  About a week later I started to experience pain very low in the buttocks. Neither the therapist or my physician feel that it is disk related but rather a secondary complication from the SI problem.  I have done exercises, ultrasound treatmentsm, iontophoresis, and now am being treated with electrical stem.  It is becoming more chronic.  I use to notice it only when I would bend.  Now it is constant from the moment I wake up.  I am on 500mg of naproxen and sometimes I need to take another within 4 hours just to calm it down.  I lead a very active life and the pain is beginning to hamper my daily activities.  Sitting for any length of time is unbearable.  My therapist is treating the periformis muscle which runs through the ischial tubes.  Any suggestions??  Is this a forever situation or will it subside?

[CCF Neuro[P] MD RPS]

_
Dear Renee:
Sorry to hear about your back pain.  Without examining you or seeing the prveious workup it is very difficult to give accurate advice.  It sounds like the hips being out of alignment might be the etiology of the problem.  There may be something in your gait, boney structure (such as leg length differences), spinal cord, etc that is inducing the SI dysfunction.  It might be a good idea to see an orthopod and have these things ruled out.  He/She might also be able to give you direction in curing your problem.  I wish you luck.
Sincerely,
CCF Neuro[P] MD