Just thought I'd give an update. I saw the orthopedic doctor yesterday and he thinks my pain is due to my disc disease.(inflammation in the disc itself, rather than the nerve) My sacroiliac joints look and feel completely normal. So much for the SI theory. He did do a manipulation (he's a DO) which I had never had before and I must say I felt better this morning. I also started on a course of methylpred (steroid) which he says will tell him a lot about what is and what isn't going on. He seemed very nice, read and commented on all of my records, seemed to appreciate the 2 year outline of my problem I had written up and said it was not uncommon for pcp's to not follow recommendations. He believes there is a good chance I have an underlying rheumatological disorder causing the problem and the pain. I asked him why I had such an improvement with surgery and he said it happens often and they don't know why. So that's where I'm at. I have no idea what lies ahead.
Chris S.