4 year results after minimally invasive transiliac sacroiliac joint fusion with triangular titanium implants from a single arm and single center study

Introduction:

Chronic low back pain is associated in more than 15% with sacro-iliac joint (SIJ) dysfunction. Sacroiliac joint fusion (SIJF) has proven in several studies to be an effectiv and safe minimally invasive procedure. Only few studies show long-term data to support the long term evidence and effectiveness of the relative new procedure.

Methods:

We enrolled 26 patients between 2011 and 2014. 21 patients could be followed up over the period of 4 years.

Results:

At 4 years, mean LBP improved by 38.7 VAS points to pre op (p<.0001). Mean ODI improved by 26.0 points (p<.0001). Also a mean improvements in leg pain and EQ-5D-3L could be evaluated over the long term period of 4 years. Satisfaction rates were high and the proportion of subjects taking opioids decreased from 82% at baseline to 39% at 4-year follow-up. Implant loosening could not be detected on plain radiograph.

Discussion:

Four-year follow-up showed an excellent clinical response in patients with chronic SIJ pain treated with SIJF using triangular implant.

Robert Pflugmacher

Universitätsklinikum Bonn, Klinik und Poliklinik für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie, Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25, 53127 Bonn, Deutschland

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