What is the sacroiliac joint (SI Joint)?
The sacroiliac, or SI, joints are joints between the pelvic bones and the base of the spine, or sacrum. They are located in the lower back on each side where most people have a dimple in the skin. Unlike the joints in the arm or leg, the SI joints are just attachment points between the bones and are not supposed to move.
If an SI joint becomes loose and moves excessively, or if it becomes degenerated and inflamed, it can cause pain on that side. The best way to cure that pain permanently is to fuse the SI joint.
Do you experience one or more of the symptoms listed below?
- Low back pain
- Sensation of low extremity: pain, numbness, tingling, weakness
- Pelvis/buttock pain
- Hip/groin pain
- Feeling of leg instability (buckling, giving way)
- Disturbed sleep patterns
- Disturbed sitting patterns (unable to sit for long periods, sitting on one side)
- Pain going from sitting to standing
Is SI Joint fusion right for you?
Minimally-invasive SI joint fusion using the SI BONE® system is a highly effective way to reduce or eliminate pain for which, up until a few years ago, there was no good treatment. People with SI joint problems previously had to suffer with chronic, debilitating low back pain that responded poorly or not at all to conventional treatments such as anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy, steroid injections, and chiropractic care.
“In my experience, people with documented SI joint problems who have had this surgery have a good outcome approximately 95% of the time,” said David G. Yingling, MD at Cape Neurosurgical Associates.
In the past, surgeons tried various “open” types of SI joint fusion, but most surgeons stopped doing them because the outcomes did not support continuing to offer that procedure to patients. The SI BONE® system is minimally-invasive through a one-inch incision with few surgical complications and significantly better outcomes. In this procedure, titanium implants are placed across the joint under x-ray guidance, with no bone grafting required.
Hear from SI Joint fusion patient Cara Strickland:
After the Procedure
The patient goes home the next day with some activity restrictions for the first three weeks. Significant improvement in pain is usually noticeable in the first day or two, while total recovery usually takes six to eight weeks.
SI Joint Fusion with the iFuse Implant System®
The iFuse Implant System® is designed to provide stabilization and fusion for certain SI joint disorders. This is accomplished by inserting triangular-shaped titanium implants across the sacroiliac joint to maximize postsurgical stability and weight bearing capacity. The procedure is done through a small incision and takes about an hour. Multiple published studies on iFuse® have documented procedure safety and effectiveness.1
The iFuse Implant System® is intended for sacroiliac fusion for conditions including sacroiliac joint dysfunction that is a direct result of sacroiliac joint disruption and degenerative sacroiliitis. This includes conditions whose symptoms began during pregnancy or in the peripartum period and have persisted postpartum for more than 6 months. Clinical studies have demonstrated that treatment with the iFuse Implant System® improved pain, patient function, and quality of life at 12 months post-implantation. There are potential risks associated with the iFuse Implant System®. It may not be appropriate for all patients and all patients may not benefit. For information about the risks, visit www.si-bone.com/risks
For more information about sacroiliac bone health, call Cape Neurosurgical Associates at 573-339-0900.
1 Polly, D.W.* et al., Neurosurgery. 2015. A list of additional published studies is available at www.si-bone.com/results. Dr. Polly is an investigator on a clinical research study sponsored by SI-BONE. He has no financial interest in SI-BONE. Research was funded by SI-BONE, Inc.
