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. 2013 Sep 16;7(1):12.
doi: 10.1186/1750-1164-7-12.

Minimally invasive sacroiliac joint fusion: one-year outcomes in 18 patients

John Cummings Jr  1 , Robyn A Capobianco
Affiliations

Minimally invasive sacroiliac joint fusion: one-year outcomes in 18 patients

John Cummings Jr et al. Ann Surg Innov Res. .

Abstract

Background: Sacroiliac joint (SI) pain is an often-overlooked cause of low back pain due, in part, to lack of specific findings on radiographs and symptoms mimicking other back-related disorders. We report our experience with minimally invasive (MIS) SI joint arthrodesis using a series of triangular, titanium plasma spray (TPS) coated implants in patients refractory to conservative care.

Methods: We report outcomes from 18 patients with 12 months of postoperative follow-up.Demographics, complications, and clinical outcomes using visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) for back function and SF-12 for quality of life were collected preoperatively and at 3, 6 and 12 months post-operatively.

Results: Mean age was 64 years and 67% of patients were female. There were no intraoperative complications and one explant at three months for malposition.All patient-reported outcomes showed both clinically and statistically significant improvement at 12 months (p < 0.001 for each of the following): VAS improved by 6.6 points, ODI scores improved by -37.5 points. One year SF-12 physical and mental component (PCS, MCS) scores approximated population normal scores for both physical and mental functioning. Patient satisfaction with outcomes was high at 95%; 89% said would have the same surgery again.

Conclusions: MIS SI joint fusion using a series of triangular porous TPS coated titanium implants is a safe and effective procedure for patients with SI joint disorders who have failed conservative care.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Triangular porous plasma coated implants (iFuse® Implant System, SI-BONE Inc, San Jose, CA).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Postoperative radiograph demonstrating placement of three implants across the SI joint.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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