Minimally invasive lateral transiliac sacroiliac joint fusion using 3D-printed triangular titanium implants.

Background

Minimally invasive sacroiliac joint (SIJ) fusion (SIJF) has become an increasingly accepted surgical option for chronic SI joint dysfunction, a prevalent cause of chronic low back/buttock pain.

Objective

To report clinical and functional outcomes of SIJF using 3D-printed triangular titanium implants (TTI) for patients with chronic SI joint dysfunction.

Methods

A total of 28 subjects with SIJ dysfunction at 8 centers underwent SIJF with 3D TTI and had scheduled follow-up to 6 months (NCT03122899).

Results

Mean preoperative SIJ pain score was 79.1 and mean preoperative Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) was 49.9. At 6 months, pain scores decreased by 51 points and ODI decreased by 23.6 points (both p<0.0001). The proportion of subjects able to perform various back/pelvis-related physical functions with minimal difficulty improved significantly for nearly all activities. Opioid use decreased and physical function, as assessed with three objective tests, improved.

Conclusion

Early results from this prospective multicenter trial confirm that clinical responses to a 3D triangular titanium implant for SIJF are similar to those from prior trials, with improved physical function and decreased opioid use. Level of evidence: Level II.