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Updated: Jan 23, 2026

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Published on: March 7, 2025
Minimally invasive lateral transiliac sacroiliac joint fusion using 3D-printed triangular titanium implants
Vikas Patel1, Don Kovalsky2, S Craig Meyer3
1Department of Orthopedics, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA.
Minimally invasive sacroiliac joint fusion using 3D-printed triangular titanium implants significantly reduced pain and disability. Patients experienced improved physical function and decreased opioid use after the procedure.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Chronic sacroiliac joint (SIJ) dysfunction causes low back and buttock pain.
- Minimally invasive SIJ fusion (SIJF) is a growing surgical treatment option.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate clinical and functional outcomes of SIJF.
- To assess the use of 3D-printed triangular titanium implants (TTI) for SIJF.
Main Methods:
- Prospective multicenter trial (NCT03122899) with 28 subjects.
- SIJF performed using 3D TTI.
- Follow-up to 6 months.
Main Results:
- Significant reduction in SIJ pain scores (mean decrease of 51 points).
- Significant reduction in Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores (mean decrease of 23.6 points).
- Improved physical function and decreased opioid use observed.
Conclusions:
- 3D TTI for SIJF shows promising clinical outcomes.
- Results are comparable to previous SIJF trials.
- Improved physical function and reduced opioid consumption noted.
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