St. Catherine Offers New Minimally Invasive Treatment for Unresolved Back Pain

John Mitty Monday, December 3, 2012

For Joan Stagg, when her physician, Jeffery Epstein, MD, suggested a minimally invasive treatment that would address the lower back and buttock pain she has been suffering with for more than seven years, she was overly enthused to give it a try.

On November 14, 2012, Dr. Epstein was the first neurosurgeon on Long Island to perform the sacroiliac joint fusion surgery using the minimally invasive iFuse Implant System, at St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center in Smithtown, New York. The iFuse procedure is a promising procedure for patients with unresolved lower back symptoms related to the sacroiliac joint. The sacroiliac joint connects the sacrum, the triangular bone at the bottom of the spine, with the pelvis. This joint can become damaged either due to normal wear and tear over time or through injury.

Photo (L-R):  Moire Pelletier, RN, patient Joan Stagg with Dr. Jeffery Epstein and Hanan Soliman-Lee, PA, post-surgery.

When such damage happens, it can cause significant discomfort from the lower back down to the lower buttock region and the upper leg.  This discomfort can lead to debilitation and one’s quality-of-life may greatly suffer.  This pain is all too real for many Long Islanders, including Mrs. Stagg. “I have been suffering with lower back pain since an accident in 2005.” After the surgery she expressed “I just hope to be pain free and would love to get back on my boat and play volleyball again.”

Nearly two weeks after her surgery Joan went for her post-operation visit and Dr. Epstein was happy to share that “She is doing very well. She has started weight-bearing on her leg, and has already noticed a big difference regarding her pain.”

The iFuse procedure is designed to offer a minimally invasive solution for patients who are no longer responding satisfactorily to conservative care, but for whom the prospect of a traditional open surgery is not desirable. The iFuse procedure takes about an hour and involves three small titanium implants inserted surgically across the sacroiliac joint. The entire process is done through a small incision, with no soft tissue stripping and minimal tendon irritation. Patients typically leave the hospital the next day after surgery and can usually resume daily living activities within six weeks, depending on how well they are healing and based on physician’s orders.

For more information about the iFuse Implant System offered at St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center, please call (631) 870-3444.

jmitty@longislandyellowpages.com

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