Minimally invasive sacroiliac joint fusion using a novel hydroxyapatite-coated screw: final 2-year clinical and radiographic results.

BACKGROUND: The proper diagnosis and treatment of sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain remains a clinical challenge. Dysfunction of the SIJ can produce pain in the lower back, buttocks, and extremities. The present prospective clinical study is a follow-up report on a previous 1-year report on the use of a novel hydroxyapatite (HA)-coated titanium screw for the surgical treatment of SIJ dysfunction. METHODS: Data were prospectively collected on 32 consecutive patients who underwent minimally invasive SIJ fusion with a novel HA-coated screw. Clinical assessments and radiographs were collected and evaluated at 24 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Mean preoperative visual analog scale (VAS) back, left, and right leg pain scores decreased significantly to 20.0 (±18.4), 5.8 (±8.1), and 11.5 (±20.1) at 24-month follow-up, respectively. Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores significantly decreased to 27.5 (±18.8) points at 24 months (P<0.01). Two patients who required revision surgery reported improvement of their symptoms within 3 weeks and did not require subsequent surgery to be performed. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows positive clinical and functional outcomes for patients who have undergone fusion using HA-coated screws for SIJ dysfunction. SIJ fusion using a HA-coated screw to treat SIJ dysfunction significantly decreased VAS back and leg pain and ODI scores at 2-year follow-up.

Minimally Invasive Sacroiliac Joint Fusion Using a Novel Hydroxyapatite-Coated Screw: Preliminary 1-Year Clinical and Radiographic Results of a 2-Year Prospective Study.

OBJECTIVE: Proper diagnosis and treatment of sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain remains a clinical challenge. Dysfunction of the SIJ can produce pain in the lower back, buttocks, and extremities. Triangular titanium implants for minimally invasive surgical arthrodesis have been available for several years, with reputed high levels of success and patient satisfaction. This study reports on a novel hydroxyapatite-coated screw for surgical treatment of SIJ pain. METHODS: Data were prospectively collected on 32 consecutive patients who underwent minimally invasive SIJ fusion with a novel hydroxyapatite-coated screw. Clinical assessments and radiographs were collected and evaluated at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Mean (standard deviation) patient age was 55.2 ± 10.7 years, and 62.5% were female. More patients (53.1%) underwent left versus right SIJ treatment, mean operative time was 42.6 ± 20.4 minutes, and estimated blood loss did not exceed 50 mL. Overnight hospital stay was required for 84% of patients, and the remaining patients needed a 2-day stay (16%). Mean preoperative visual analog scale back and leg pain scores decreased significantly by 12 months postoperatively (P < 0.01). Mechanical stability was achieved in 93.3% (28/30) of patients, and all patients who were employed preoperatively returned to work within 3 months. Two patients who required revision surgery reported symptom improvement within 3 weeks and did not require subsequent surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Positive clinical outcomes are reported 1 year postoperatively after implantation of a novel implant to treat sacroiliac joint pain. Future clinical studies with larger samples are warranted to assess long-term patient outcomes.