[Minimally Invasive Sacroiliac Joint Stabilization]

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY Sacroiliac joint dysfunction is defined as a permanent chronic pain originating from the sacroiliac joint, limiting the patient's daily activities. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the minimally invasive sacroiliac joint stabilization by triangular titanium implants in patients with sacroiliac joint dysfunction. MATERIAL AND METHODS The prospective study evaluated the patients who had underwent a minimally invasive sacroiliac joint stabilization for sacroiliac joint dysfunction with the use of iFuse® implants. The surgery was performed solely under fluoroscopic guidance or together with the use of O-arm O2® mobile imaging system. The clinical condition, the Visual Analogue Scale preoperatively and one year postoperatively, previous surgeries in the lumbar spine region, the use of O-arm and occurrence of complications were recorded. The minimum follow-up period was 1 year. RESULTS The group was composed of 20 patients, of whom 4 men and 16 women. The mean age was 48.9 years. The surgeries covered 21 sacroiliac joints. Improvement of the clinical condition was reported in 17 cases (81.0%), no relief was observed in 4 cases (19%). The mean VAS score was 6.1 points preoperatively and decreased to 2.9 points postoperatively (p=0.0001). CONCLUSIONS The minimally invasive sacroiliac joint stabilization should be reserved for patients experiencing an intractable pain originating from the sacroiliac joint, in whom all non-operative therapy failed. Key words: minimally invasive sacroiliac joint stabilization, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, O-arm.