title: Pelvic joint fusion in patients with severe pelvic girdle pain - a prospective single-subject research design study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The fusion of the pelvic joints in patients with severe pelvic girdle pain (PGP) is a controversial and insufficiently studied procedure. The aims of this study were to evaluate physical function and pain after sacroiliac joint (SIJ) fusion.
  
  
  METHODS
  A single-subject research design study with repeated measurements was conducted; pre-operatively and at 3, 6 and 12 months post-operatively. The outcome measures considered were the Oswestry disability index (ODI), visual analogue scale (VAS), and SF-36. Eight patients with severe PGP received open-accessed unilateral anterior SIJ fusion and fusion of the pubic symphysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seven patients reported positive results from the surgery. At 1 year post-operation, significant (p < 0.001) reductions in ODI (54 to 37) and VAS (82 to 57) were reported. The physical functioning, bodily pain, and social functioning scores in the SF-36 were also improved.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Positive and significant changes in disability and pain at 1 year after SIJ fusion were observed. Despite these positive results, open accessed anterior fusion of the SIJ was associated with adverse events and complications such as infection and nerve damage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Division of Surgery and Clinical Neuroscience, Oslo University Hospital, Sognsvannsveien 20, 0372 Oslo, Norway. kibsgard@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Kibsgård
authors.forename: Olav
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Røise
authors.forename: Britt
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Stuge
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015360:Analgesia, Epidural; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000379:methods*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D059408:Pain Management; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010384:Pelvic Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011631:Pubic Symphysis / Q000601:surgery*; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000601:surgery; D011788:Quality of Life; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D012107:Research Design; D012446:Sacroiliac Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics