I don't have plates and screws, so not sure how to alleviate pain around that ... I do have arthritis and sacroiliac joint dysfunction which impacts most of my joints including spine, lower back, hips, etc ... Thankfully my PCP is quite open minded and all about least invasive to most invasive, so here's what I find helpful right now ... Hot soaks and warm compresses ... Eliminating most non-essential sugars and carbs from the diet ... A dose of Nyquil here, yonder and there to help with sleep (no more than 3 nights a week, though - gotta preserve the liver and kidneys) ... I'll also distract myself by taking a slow, relaxing stroll through the local botanical garden at least once a week, and I also use board and card games as a distraction ... Massage, Accupuncture and Chiropractic are next on my list ... I'm hoping to make it to retirement and then I'll look at medical marijuana before progressing on up to narcotics and/or surgery.

Being in constant and chronic physical pain does suck, and for those of us with mental health issues, it's kind of a double suck because I do believe one feeds off the other and leads to deeper depression than what we may already be struggling with in the first place.

At any rate, I hope you find at least one or two things in there helpful ... I especially love the hot soaks!

Sincerely,
Pfrog!