Description
In this presentation, Ashish Upadhyay discusses a prevalent issue in healthcare: back pain, particularly focusing on sacroiliac (SI) joint problems. He reflects on the challenges patients face, especially those who have undergone multiple spine surgeries without a clear diagnosis. Upadhyay emphasizes the importance of accurately diagnosing sacroiliac joint issues, highlighting that a significant percentage of individuals with back pain may have underlying SI joint problems, especially following lumbar spine surgeries.
He outlines his clinical approach, which involves a series of provocative tests and diagnostic injections to confirm the presence of SI joint pain. The speaker illustrates that the SI joint's innervation is similar to that of the lumbar joints, leading to overlapping pain patterns, which complicates diagnoses. Upadhyay also shares insight into treatment options, comparing non-operative treatments with surgical interventions, notably minimally invasive SI joint fusion, which he reports to yield more sustained improvements for patients.
In conclusion, he reiterates the necessity of addressing sacroiliac joint pain seriously, advocating for improved diagnostic practices and the adoption of surgical options when appropriate, ensuring better outcomes for patients suffering from chronic back pain.