Clinical Data

ABSTRACT

Background: SI joint pain can mimic discogenic low back pain or even radicular pain. Patient presentations vary considerably and conditions may include low back, groin, and/or radicular pain, leading to the potential for inaccurate diagnosis and treatment. Despite the large number of patients with SI joint pain, treatment options have been limited to conservative care involving physical therapy and joint injections, radiofrequency rhizotomy, or traditional open SI joint arthrodesis surgery. The purpose of this retrospective study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of MIS SI joint arthrodesis via an ileosacral approach in patients refractory to conservative care.

Methods: We report on the first 11 consecutive patients treated with a novel MIS SI joint fusion system by a single surgeon. Medical charts were reviewed for perioperative metrics and baseline pain scores recorded using a 0-10 numerical rating scale.

Results: Ninety one percent (91%) of patients were female and the average patient age was 65 years (range 45-82). Mean baseline pain score (SD) was 7.9 (± 2.2). Mean pain score at the 12 month follow up interval was 2.3 (±3.1), resulting in an average improvement of 6.2 points from baseline, representing a clinically and statistically significant (p=0.000) improvement. Patient satisfaction was very high with 100% indicating that they would have the same surgery again for the same result.

Conclusions: The results of this small case series illustrate the safety and effectiveness of minimally invasive SI joint fusion using a series of triangular porous plasma coated titanium implants in carefully selected patients. Larger multi centered studies are warranted.

KEYWORDS: Minimally invasive, Sacroiliac joint, Arthrodesis