The therapeutic efficacy of sacroiliac joint blocks with triamcinolone acetonide in the treatment of sacroiliac joint dysfunction without spondyloarthropathy.
METHODS
Prospective case series.


OBJECTIVE
The study aimed to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of sacroiliac joint (SIJ) blocks with triamcinolone acetonide in patients with SIJ pain without spondyloarthropathy.


BACKGROUND
Numerous studies have demonstrated that SIJ blocks with corticosteroid/anesthetic provide long-term pain relief in seronegative spondyloarthropathy. However, only one report on SIJ dysfunction patients without spondyloarthropathy shows promising results.


METHODS
We conducted a prospective observational study of patients at a University Spine Center from March 2005 to May 2006. The above mentioned SIJ blocks were performed in 150 patients, and dual SIJ blocks confirmed SIJ pain in 39 patients (26%).


RESULTS
Twenty-six patients (66.7%) experienced significant pain reduction for more than 6 weeks; the overall mean duration of pain reduction in these responders was 36.8 +/- 9.9 weeks. SIJ blocks were ineffective in 13 patients (33.3%); the mean duration of pain reduction in these patients was 4.4 +/- 1.8 weeks. Univariate analysis revealed that treatment failure was significantly associated with a history of lumbar/lumbosacral fusion (P = 0.03).


CONCLUSIONS
SIJ blocks with triamcinolone acetonide are beneficial for some patients with SIJ pain without spondyloarthropathy. The SIJ blocks showed a long-lasting efficacy in two-thirds of the patients; however, the duration of its efficacy was shorter in patients with a history of lumbar/lumbosacral fusion. These findings suggest the need for further studies.
Liliang
Po-Chou
PC
Department of Neurosurgery, E-Da Hospital, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. ed100172@edah.org.tw
Lu
Kang
K
Weng
Hui-Ching
HC
Liang
Cheng-Loong
CL
Tsai
Yu-Duan
YD
Chen
Han-Jung
HJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018771:Arthralgia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012446:Sacroiliac Joint / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D025242:Spondylarthropathies / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide