Sacroiliac Joint Fusion / SI Joint Fusion
Once your spine doctor has confirmed the source of your symptoms is Sacroiliac
joint pain and you have attempted conservative treatment options such
as physical therapy, SI joint injections and pain medication it may be
time to consider surgical treatment. One option is Sacroiliac (SI) joint fusion.
SI joint fusion is a minimally invasive surgical procedure requiring a
small incision (about one to two inches long), along the side of the buttock.
Your spine surgeon will use fluoroscopy or navigation, a real-time imaging
technique, to precisely place titanium implants across the SI joint for
better stability.
Traditional "Open" SI Joint Fusions Surgery vs. iFuse Minimally
Invasive SI Joint Fusion
Traditional or "open" SI joint fusion surgery is very different
than the iFuse minimally invasive option. Open SI joint surgery requires
a significant amount of soft tissue dissection to get to the joint and
a significant amount of joint debridement -- the removal of damaged tissue
— to prepare the joint for fusion. This leads to longer recovery
time, which may include several days at the hospital. Open surgery also
carries a greater risk of post-operative complications than minimally
invasive surgery.
iFuse Implant System
The iFuse Implant System is intended for sacroiliac joint fusion for conditions
including sacroiliac joint dysfunction that is a direct result of a sacroiliac
joint disruption or degenerative sacroiliitis. The procedure involves
the insertion of three small, triangular, titanium implants across the
SI joint. The procedure is done through a small incision and takes approximately
one hour. Clinical studies have demonstrated that treatment with the iFuse
Implant improved pain, patient function and quality of life.*
Benefits of the iFuse Implant System:
- Titanium construction designed specifically to stabilize and fuse the SI joint
- Triangular shape minimizes rotation
- Porous titanium surface allows for bony ongrowth/ingrowth
*
Polly, D.W., Two-Year Outcomes from Randomized Controlled Trial of Minimally
Invasive Sacroiliac Joint Fusion vs. Non-Surgical Management of Sacroiliac
Joint Dysfunction. Int J Spine Surg. 2016; 10:Article 28.