Sacroiliac Joint Fusion Physiotherapy Brisbane Southside
Rehabilitating After Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Fusion: How Physiotherapy Can Help
Sacroiliac joint fusion is a surgical procedure designed to stabilise the SI joint, often performed to alleviate chronic pain caused by conditions like SI joint dysfunction or arthritis. Our Brisbane southside physiotherapy clinic offers tailored rehabilitation plans, including Clinical Pilates, to help you regain function, improve mobility, and return to your daily activities confidently.
Why is Physiotherapy Important After SI Joint Fusion?
Physiotherapy is an integral part of recovery, helping to:
What Happens During the Initial Recovery Phase?
In the early weeks post-surgery, the focus is on healing and minimising discomfort:
What Therapies Can Support Recovery?
Our approach includes multiple modalities to enhance healing and recovery:
Manual Therapy
What Precautions Should Be Taken After SI Joint Fusion?
What is the Typical Recovery Timeline?
Recovery after SI joint fusion occurs in stages:
What Muscles Should Be Strengthened After SI Joint Fusion?
Targeted strengthening focuses on the muscles supporting the pelvis and spine:
What Exercises Are Part of Rehabilitation?
Rehabilitation exercises progress gradually and may include:
How Does Clinical Pilates Complement Recovery?
Clinical Pilates provides controlled, low-impact exercises that:
Frequently Asked Questions About SI Joint Fusion Rehabilitation
How long after SI joint fusion can I walk?
Most patients can walk with assistance or aids within the first day or two post-surgery, gradually increasing activity as healing progresses.
What are the long-term effects of SI joint fusion?
How to sleep after SI joint fusion?
How painful is SI joint fusion?
Post-surgical pain is normal and typically managed with medication, ice, and physiotherapy. Discomfort decreases significantly within a few weeks.
When can I stop elevating my leg?
Elevation to reduce swelling is most critical during the first 2–4 weeks. Your physiotherapist will guide you based on your recovery progress.
Take the Next Step Toward Recovery
Our expert team is ready to guide you through a personalised rehabilitation program after SI joint fusion. Contact us today to book your consultation and begin your recovery journey!
Have questions or want to make a booking? Call our friendly reception team 07 3706 3407 to book in to see one of our Tarragindi Physiotherapists or email us at [email protected]
Sacroiliac joint fusion is a surgical procedure designed to stabilise the SI joint, often performed to alleviate chronic pain caused by conditions like SI joint dysfunction or arthritis. Our Brisbane southside physiotherapy clinic offers tailored rehabilitation plans, including Clinical Pilates, to help you regain function, improve mobility, and return to your daily activities confidently.
Why is Physiotherapy Important After SI Joint Fusion?
Physiotherapy is an integral part of recovery, helping to:
- Restore mobility: Improve flexibility in surrounding joints and muscles.
- Enhance strength: Build strength in supporting muscles to stabilise the pelvis and spine.
- Reduce pain: Address compensatory muscle tension and improve movement mechanics.
- Facilitate safe progression: Provide expert guidance for resuming daily and physical activities.
What Happens During the Initial Recovery Phase?
In the early weeks post-surgery, the focus is on healing and minimising discomfort:
- Pain management: Ice therapy, prescribed medications, and gentle positioning techniques are used.
- Mobility aids: Walking aids like crutches or a walker may be recommended to reduce stress on the surgical site.
- Gentle movement: Physiotherapists guide you through safe, gentle exercises to maintain circulation and prevent stiffness.
What Therapies Can Support Recovery?
Our approach includes multiple modalities to enhance healing and recovery:
Manual Therapy
- Soft tissue release: Relieves tension in muscles compensating for the fused joint, such as the lower back, hips, and thighs.
- Scar tissue management: Techniques to improve tissue flexibility and reduce adhesions around the surgical site.
- Core activation exercises: Strengthen the deep muscles supporting the pelvis and spine.
- Pelvic stability training: Target the glutes, hip flexors, and surrounding muscles for optimal support.
- Ergonomic education: Learn proper posture for sitting, standing, and walking.
- Movement retraining: Re-learn safe and efficient movement patterns post-surgery.
- Cryotherapy: Controls inflammation and reduces discomfort.
- Electrotherapy: Can be used for pain relief, if necessary.
- Activity modification: Guidance on safe activities to protect the surgical site.
- Safe transitions: Techniques for moving in and out of bed or chairs without straining the area.
- Gradual load progression: Advice on increasing activity levels appropriately.
What Precautions Should Be Taken After SI Joint Fusion?
- Avoid twisting or bending: Protect the fused joint by avoiding excessive motion in the spine and pelvis.
- Follow weight-bearing restrictions: Your surgeon and physiotherapist will guide how much weight you can bear on the affected side.
- Use mobility aids as needed: Reduce stress on the joint during the initial healing phase.
- Gradually resume activities: Progress to higher levels of activity only with professional guidance.
What is the Typical Recovery Timeline?
Recovery after SI joint fusion occurs in stages:
- 0–6 weeks: Focus on healing, pain reduction, and gentle mobility exercises.
- 6–12 weeks: Gradual strengthening of supporting muscles and reintroduction of functional activities.
- 3–6 months: Advanced strengthening and movement retraining, including Clinical Pilates.
- 6–12 months: Full recovery and return to normal activities or sports, as cleared by your surgeon and physiotherapist.
What Muscles Should Be Strengthened After SI Joint Fusion?
Targeted strengthening focuses on the muscles supporting the pelvis and spine:
- Gluteal muscles: Stabilise the pelvis during movement.
- Core muscles: Deep core stabilisers like the transversus abdominis and multifidus provide support.
- Hip flexors and extensors: Aid in pelvic and lower body mobility.
- Quadriceps and hamstrings: Improve leg strength and stability.
What Exercises Are Part of Rehabilitation?
Rehabilitation exercises progress gradually and may include:
- Early stages: Gentle pelvic tilts, diaphragmatic breathing, and ankle pumps.
- Mid-stages: Bridges, clamshells, and side-lying leg lifts to build pelvic stability.
- Later stages: Functional strengthening, balance exercises, and Clinical Pilates for refined control and mobility.
How Does Clinical Pilates Complement Recovery?
Clinical Pilates provides controlled, low-impact exercises that:
- Enhance core stability: Improves support for the fused joint.
- Increase flexibility: Promotes safe movement in adjacent joints.
- Focus on alignment: Encourages proper posture and movement patterns during recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions About SI Joint Fusion Rehabilitation
How long after SI joint fusion can I walk?
Most patients can walk with assistance or aids within the first day or two post-surgery, gradually increasing activity as healing progresses.
What are the long-term effects of SI joint fusion?
- Improved stability and pain relief in the SI joint.
- Reduced mobility in the fused joint, which is compensated by surrounding areas with proper training.
How to sleep after SI joint fusion?
- Sleep on your back with a pillow under your knees or on your side with a pillow between your legs to maintain alignment.
How painful is SI joint fusion?
Post-surgical pain is normal and typically managed with medication, ice, and physiotherapy. Discomfort decreases significantly within a few weeks.
When can I stop elevating my leg?
Elevation to reduce swelling is most critical during the first 2–4 weeks. Your physiotherapist will guide you based on your recovery progress.
Take the Next Step Toward Recovery
Our expert team is ready to guide you through a personalised rehabilitation program after SI joint fusion. Contact us today to book your consultation and begin your recovery journey!
Have questions or want to make a booking? Call our friendly reception team 07 3706 3407 to book in to see one of our Tarragindi Physiotherapists or email us at [email protected]
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