Who Can Have SI Joint Fusion?
The iFuse Implant SystemTM procedure is suitable for treating SI Joint-related pathologies and dysfunction due to a variety of causes. These may include injuries or chronic conditions. The following patients have graciously given permission to present their personal experiences regarding SI joint disfunction, subsequent surgery using the iFuse System, and ongoing results of this treatment.
Patient with traumatic injury
This 45 year old truck driver developed low back pain when he fell off his truck. The source of his low back pain was found to be his left SI Joint.
He was in extreme pain before he underwent a successful SI Joint Fusion procedure where his surgeon placed three fusion implants across his SI Joint. These show up as white bars in the x-ray on the left. At his 3-month follow-up he had relief and was free of SI Joint dysfunction.
Patient with pregnancy-related chronic back pain
This 36 year old x-ray-technician suffered from low back pain for seven years following her pregnancy and a difficult delivery. She had severe SI Joint dysfunction before she had an SI Joint Fusion procedure where three fusion implants were placed across her joint. The patient experienced dramatic reduction of her SI Joint symptoms following surgery.
Patient with job-related repetitive stress
This 57 year old man complained of low back pain for several years. In his job, he was required to perform repetitive bending and twisting. He experienced short-term relief after having a CT guided injection to his SI Joint.
His symptoms decreased significantly after his SI Joint Fusion procedure. The X-ray shows where his fusion implants were placed.
Other Conditions and SI Joint Fusion
The SI Joint Fusion procedure can be safely used even when a person has previously had other orthopedic surgeries and implants. As mentioned earlier, SI Joint problems may coexist with lumbar spine or hip conditions. In some cases, SI Joint dysfunction may appear after lumbar spine surgery as well as hip replacements. In order to avoid unnecessary repeat surgery at these sites, it is important to get accurate diagnosis that identifies the source of patient symptoms.Patients with prior surgical procedures:
Patient with previous Spinal Condition
This 54-year old emergency room doctor previously had successful lumbar spine surgery for low back pain.
Approximately five years later, she started experiencing more low back pain and was eventually unable to work. This time her diagnosis was SI Joint dysfunction. She had a successful SI Joint Fusion procedure and was back at work after 11 weeks.
SI Joint Fusion after both Lumbar and Hip Surgeries
This 64 year old woman previously had successful total hip replacement and lumbar spine surgery The x-rays below left show her implants from these procedures.
She developed SI Joint dysfunction several years later, and underwent SI Joint Fusion resolving her symptoms. The x-ray on the right show the fusion implants.
SI Joint Fusion after Hip Replacement
This 68 year old man was treated for low back pain for both lumbar facet and SI Joint dysfunction after a total hip replacement. Because of his severe symptoms, SI Joint Fusion was recommended for him and he had four fusion implants placed in across his SI Joint.
After his procedure his symptoms decreased significantly within 3 months. He continued to improve and one year after his SI Joint Fusion procedure he was symptom-free and had a stable healing response.
SI Joint Fusion and Other Conditions
In some cases, a person may require other surgeries after having an SI Joint Fusion procedure. The iFuse Implants will not affect their ability to have such surgeries. For instance, someone who has had a successful SI Joint Fusion procedure may later develop lumbar spine problems, with pain due to a different source from the SI Joint. These can be treated appropriately.
The x-ray on the left shows two iFuse Implants in place. The patient developed lumbar symptoms 10 months after the procedure. These were addressed with successful spinal procedure. The x-rays on the right show the spinal implants after her lumbar fusion.
