Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Fusion Simplified
Patient Profiles
Who is Eligible to Have Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Fusion?
The SI-BONE iFuse Implant System
TM consists of Fusion Implants and associated
surgical instruments. The Fusion Implants may be used safely even when a person has
previously had other orthopedic or spine surgeries and implants. Sacroiliac (SI) Joint problems may coexist
with lumbar, spine or hip conditions. Read on to learn about how appropriate diagnosis and
surgical treatment of Sacroiliac (SI) Joint pain has changed patient’s lives:
Case 1: Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Fusion after Hip Replacement
Raymond Dickerson, 68 years of age:
"I went to my doctor with persistent low back
problems several years after undergoing hip replacement surgery. I was spending many
hours in physical therapy without experiencing any relief. Due to the severity of the
symptoms, my physician recommended Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Fusion after he diagnosed it using CT guided injection,
which provided temporary relief. Within three months of the surgery, which only took about an
hour, I experienced significant relief.
In the subsequent months, I continued to improve, and
at one year, the fusion has returned me to a normal lifestyle."
Case 2: Job-related Repetitive Stress Injury
Peter Haskins, 57 years of age:
"My lower back symptoms hampered my ability to function
efficiently at work. My job requires repetitive bending and twisting movements that left
me virtually unable to walk to the car at the end of the day.
After many years of attempts to treat what were thought to be disc symptoms, additional diagnostic testing was suggested.
I was given a CT guided injection to the Sacroiliac (SI) Joint, which resulted in short term relief of my symptoms.
My doctor explained that the temporary resolution of my problems demonstrated Sacroiliac (SI) Joint dysfunction.
After a discussion of the options, I elected to undergo Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Fusion in hope of finally having
long-term relief. A year later, I am now finally able to live, work and thrive again."
This website is meant for informational purposes only and should not be mistaken for medical advice or treatment. Patients must consult
their physician prior to making any treatment decisions. Individual results and activity levels after surgery vary and depend on many
factors including age, weight and prior activity level.
There are risks and recovery times associated with surgery and there are certain individuals who should not undergo surgery. Only a
physician can tell you if this product and associated procedure are right for you and your unique circumstances. To locate a specialist
to perform the SI-BONE procedure, please contact SI-BONE at 408-725-9070.
An Advanced Approach to Surgical Management of SI Joint Dysfunction
Up to 25% of all low back pain is SI Joint in origin – but the diagnosis of SI Joint disease is frequently overlooked. (Cohen, et al.)
It is common to link low back pain with protruding disc even when neurological signs are absent. (Weksler, et al.)
It is common for pain from SI Joint dysfunction to mimic discogenic or radicular low back pain. (Weksler, et al.)
Many patients go on to receive lumbar fusion instead of SI Joint fusion – so SI Joint disease should be strongly considered in differential diagnosis of low back pain. (Weksler, et al.)
Now there is an approach to surgical management of SI Joint dysfunction that’s easier and less invasive than traditional open surgery.
The iFuse Implant System consists of porous plasma spray coated implants, surgically inserted across the SI Joint to create fixation leading to fusion—from the inside.
The iFuse creates a biomechanically rigorous fixation/fusion system, designed to support reliable fixation/fusion and acute weight bearing capacity.
With the iFuse Implant System, there is no need for BMP in conjunction with autologous bone graft or additional pedicle screws, rods or hollow modular anchorage screws or cannulated compression screws or threaded cages within the joint or fracture fixation screws.
iFuse benefits:
- Less invasive than traditional open surgery with no extensive soft tissue stripping
- straightforward surgical approach
- implant profile and design minimizes rotation and micromotion
- rigid titanium implants provide immediate post-op si Joint stability
- porous plasma spray coating with irregular surface designed to support stable bone fixation/fusion
- Larger implant surface area designed to maximize post-surgical weight bearing capacity
- biomechanically rigorous implant designed specifically to stabilize the heavily loaded si Joint
The iFuse Implant System is designed to be the sacroiliac joint fusion/fixation method of choice for spine surgeons.
iFuse is a minimally invasive surgical solution to replace open surgical SI Joint fusion.
With iFuse there's minimal incision size, minimal soft tissue stripping, minimal tendon irritation and reduced risk of infection.
iFuse is a simplified minimally invasive surgical procedure.
Just drill, broach, insert Implants and close.
iFuse has a simple technique which reduces OR time to less than 1 hour.
iFuse has 3X shear and 7X bending strength compared with screws.
iFuse has improved patient perception of stability post-implant.
The incidence of SI joint degeneration in patients was 75% at 5 years post-fusion, which was significantly higher than in the non-fusion group, 38.2%. (Ha, et al.)
Among patients with one-segment fusion, 91% developed SI joint degeneration. (Ha, et al.)
Regardless of whether the fusion includes the sacrum, the SI joint is influenced by increased mechanical stress arising from lumbar/lumbosacral fusion. (Ha, et al.)
Posterolateral lumbar/lumbosacral fusion can be a cause of SIJ degeneration. (Ha, et al.)
