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Researchers report excellent long-term outcomes for sacroiliac joint fusion
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Investigators found decreased opioid use and better work status for patients who underwent minimally invasive sacroiliac joint fusion compared with patients who underwent other modalities for sacroiliac joint pain, according to recently published results.
“Chronic [sacroiliac joint] SJI pain unresponsive to [conservative management] CM showed excellent 6-year responses to minimally invasive [sacroiliac joint fusion] SIJF, but poor long-term responses to both CM or SI denervation,” the researchers wrote. “Compared to CM and SI denervation, opioid use was lower and work status better in the patients who underwent SIJF.”
Researchers performed a retrospective 6-year follow-up study of 137 patients with SIJ pain treated at outpatient neurosurgery clinic. Patients received either CM, sacroiliac denervation or minimally invasive SIJF. Patients completed the VAS and Oswestry Disability Index at each routine visit. Investigators also collected data from patients’ medical charts.
Results showed patients treated with CM did not see long-term improvement in pain or disability. Investigators noted conservatively treated patients also increased their opioid use and had poor long-term work status. Patients who underwent SIJ fusion saw greater improvements for SIJ pain and disability. SIJ fusion patients also decreased their use of opioids and had a good final work status. Intermediate responses were seen in patients who underwent SI denervation. – by Monica Jaramillo
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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