Neurosurgeon Performs Area's First New Procedure for the Treatment of Very Low Back Pain

July 18, 2012 - PRLog -- The Center of Excellence for Spine and Orthopedic Surgery at Mission Community Hospital is proud to announce that neurosurgeon Dr. Amir Makoui has performed the area’s first Sacroiliac Joint Fusion Procedure, bringing area residents a new, minimally invasive surgical option to resolve persistent low back pain stemming from the spine’s first connection called the sacroiliac (SI) joint.  The procedure was performed on a 73 year-old female patient on Monday July 16th, 2012 and was a great success.  The patient is currently recovering and is scheduled to be discharged today.
The SI joint fusion is designed to provide lower-back pain patients who have been unresponsive to conservative care and for whom the prospect of a traditional open surgery is not desirable, a minimally invasive alternative with quicker recovery.
The procedure takes about an hour and involves insertion of three small titanium implants across the sacroiliac joint. The sacroiliac joint connects the sacrum, the triangular bone at the bottom of the spine, with the iliac crest, the large wing shaped portion of the pelvis.  This joint can become damaged either due to normal wear and tear over time or through injury.
“Most people don’t know what, or where the sacroiliac joint is, but it plays a vital role in our ability to stand and to be mobile,” said Dr. Amir Makoui, a Board Certified neurosurgeon with Mission Community Hospital’s Center of Excellence in Spine and Orthopedic Surgery. “It is also one of the most commonly occurring causes of lower-back pain.”
Dr. Makoui said that the entire procedure is performed through a small incision, with no soft tissue stripping and minimal tendon irritation. Patients typically leave the hospital the 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.
“We’re pleased to bring our community yet another revolutionary surgical technique for the treatment of back pain,” said Jack Lahidjani, President of Mission Community Hospital. “It is our mission to provide our community the best quality of care with the most advanced technology currently available.”  
For more information on Mission Community Hospital, please visit us at: www.mchonline.org