title: Degenerative changes of the sacroiliac joint after spinal fusion: an evidence-based systematic review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The rate of fusion surgery of the lumbar spine has remarkably increased over the past 30 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a comprehensive search of studies addressing the assessment of sacroiliac joint (SIJ) after lumbar spinal fusion surgery on PubMed, OVID/Medline, Cochrane, CINAHL, Google scholar and Embase.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The fusion of spinal segments leads to degenerative changes in the mobile segments above or below the fused spine, because of the increase of the stresses imposed on the adjacent levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There is no consensus about prevalence and potential risk factors contributing to SIJ degenerative changes in patients undergoing fusion surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Studies using radiographic evaluation to detect degenerative changes of the SIJ are being performed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No definitive estimation about the prevalence of degenerative changes of the SIJ after fusion surgery can be provided. Further studies are required to identify the risk factors involved in post-fusion degenerative changes of the SIJ.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Campus Biomedico University, Via Alvaro del Portillo, 200, Rome 00155, Italy.
authors.forename: Umile Giuseppe
authors.initials: UG
authors.lastname: Longo
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Campus Biomedico University, Via Alvaro del Portillo, 200, Rome 00155, Italy.
authors.forename: Mattia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Loppini
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Campus Biomedico University, Via Alvaro del Portillo, 200, Rome 00155, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Berton
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Campus Biomedico University, Via Alvaro del Portillo, 200, Rome 00155, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Laverde
authors.affiliation: Department of Musculoskeletal Disorders, University of Salerno School of Medicine and Surgery, Salerno, Italy Centre for Sports and Exercise Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Mann Ward Mile End Hospital, Bancroft Road, London, UK n.maffulli@qmul.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Maffulli
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Campus Biomedico University, Via Alvaro del Portillo, 200, Rome 00155, Italy.
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Denaro
mesh_terms: D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D011859:Radiography; D012446:Sacroiliac Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000009:adverse effects*
keywords: degeneration; osteoarthritis; pain; sacroiliac joint; spinal fusion