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Sacro-Iliac Joint Pain

Dr. Craig Humphreys provides iFUSE bone graft technology for chronic pain linked to sacro-iliac joint problems



It’s estimated that one in four cases of low back pain may be linked to the sacrum and its sacro-iliac joints (SI joints).

"Finding out the real underlying cause of a person’s low back pain is crucial to proper treatment," explains Dr. Craig Humphreys, a fellowship-trained spine surgeon. “One symptom that can imply pain may be coming from the SI joint is when the person feels a pain in their low back right when they stand up from a chair and place weight on a specific leg. SI joint pain can be caused by a fall, or from repetitive jarring like distance running. Arthritis can also cause SI joint pain."

Dr. Craig Humphreys is one of few spine surgeons in the State of Alaska to provide the iFuse bone implant technology that relieves SI joint pain symptoms. "We’ll often start with nonsurgical treatment options like therapy, or an injection into the SI joint area," adds Dr. Humphreys. "But in some cases, surgery may be necessary to provide permanent relief of pain originating in the sacroiliac joint."

The iFuse system is designed to provide stabilization for the SI joint. Through minimally invasive spine surgery, small titanium implants are inserted across the sacroiliac joint to maximize post-surgical stability and weight bearing capacity. The procedure is done through a small incision and takes about an hour.

The iFuse Implant System is the only sacroiliac joint fusion system with multiple clinical studies demonstrating that treatment improved patient function, decreased pain, and better quality of life. The iFuse Implant System for sacroiliac joint pain has been performed on over 25,000 patients.

An SI joint fusion is performed through a small incision about an inch long by the side of patient’s buttock. During the procedure, fluoroscopy provides the surgeon with live imaging. Typically three implants are be inserted, depending on the patients body size.

The key benefits are that the iFuse Implant System is less invasive than traditional SI joint surgery. The iFuse Implant System uses a much smaller incision size and no bone grafting is needed as in traditional SI fusion.

Do you have SI Joint pain?

Symptoms of SI Joint pain include:

  • Low back pain that is triggered when you stand up from a chair
  • Unable to sit for long periods
  • Interrupted sleep due to low back pain
  • Hip or groin pain.
  • Feeling of leg instability (buckling)
Patient Success Stories
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Surgery repairs damaged disc and helps Jill get back to life!

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Local veternarian back to helping patients after Spinal Stenosis.

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Surgery helps Sherry get back to traveling the world.

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Bob

Surgery repairs damaged disc and returns outdoorsman to activity.

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Paramedic gets back to life with Dr. Craig Humphreys.

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Healthcare CEO back on the job after pain relieving spine surgery.

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School administrator recovers from back pain without surgery.

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Dog sled champion back on the trails after non-surgical treatment.

Educational Resources
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View medical illustrations that help you understand pain symptoms.

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Learn about special exercises and stretches that can relieve pain and help rehab muscles and joints.

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Learn about minimally invasive surgery techniques that enable patients to go home the same day.

Where to find us

Dr. Craig Humphreys is referred complex back pain and neck pain patients from across Alaska. Dr. Craig Humphreys is the only spine surgeon in the State of Alaska to be included in SpineCenterNetwork.com, an exclusive national listing of spine centers of excellence that meet credentialing criteria. With a main office in Soldotna, Alaska, Dr. Craig Humphreys is a resource for those living on the Kenai Peninsula, residents of Anchorage as well as the Mat-Su Valley, including Wasilla, Palmer and Eagle River.

Physician Bios

S. Craig Humphreys, MD
Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon
Fellowship-Trained Spine Surgeon


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