Evaluation and Treatment of Sacroiliac Joint Pain in Patients with History of Vertebral Compression Fractures: A Retrospective Case Series.

BACKGROUND

Vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) can affect the entire spinopelvic complex and cause unpredictable patterns of back pain due to their effects on spinal tensegrity and biomechanical compensation. They can lead to significant morbidity and mortality in the aging population and are difficult to diagnose. We aimed to establish a relationship between VCFs and sacroiliac (SI) joint pain.

OBJECTIVES

Demonstration of SI joint (SIJ) pain relief at up to 6 months after kyphoplasty (KP) in patients with VCFs and diagnosed SI dysfunction.

STUDY

DESIGN

Retrospective study.

SETTING

All patients were from a private chronic pain and orthopedics practice in the northeastern United States.

METHODS

Fifty-one patients with VCFs diagnosed through imaging and SIJ dysfunction diagnosed through 2 diagnostic SIJ blocks who had failed conservative management were considered for KP. Numeric Rating Scale (NRS 11) scores were recorded at the baseline, after each SIJ block, and at 4 weeks and then 6 months after KP.

RESULTS

Forty-nine patients underwent KP. At 4 weeks after the procedure, there was an 84% average reduction in NRS scores from the baseline (P < 0.01). At 6 months after the procedure, there was an 80% reduction in NRS scores from the baseline (P < 0.01).

LIMITATIONS: Larger sample sizes and a randomized control trial would be important steps in furthering the relationship between VCFs and SIJ.

CONCLUSION

VCFs can cause a referred pain pattern to the SIJ that is best treated by KP for long-term management.