title: Minimally Invasive Sacroiliac Joint Fusion Using a Novel Hydroxyapatite-Coated Screw: Preliminary 1-Year Clinical and Radiographic Results of a 2-Year Prospective Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Proper diagnosis and treatment of sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain remains a clinical challenge. Dysfunction of the SIJ can produce pain in the lower back, buttocks, and extremities. Triangular titanium implants for minimally invasive surgical arthrodesis have been available for several years, with reputed high levels of success and patient satisfaction. This study reports on a novel hydroxyapatite-coated screw for surgical treatment of SIJ pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were prospectively collected on 32 consecutive patients who underwent minimally invasive SIJ fusion with a novel hydroxyapatite-coated screw. Clinical assessments and radiographs were collected and evaluated at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean (standard deviation) patient age was 55.2 ± 10.7 years, and 62.5% were female. More patients (53.1%) underwent left versus right SIJ treatment, mean operative time was 42.6 ± 20.4 minutes, and estimated blood loss did not exceed 50 mL. Overnight hospital stay was required for 84% of patients, and the remaining patients needed a 2-day stay (16%). Mean preoperative visual analog scale back and leg pain scores decreased significantly by 12 months postoperatively (P < 0.01). Mechanical stability was achieved in 93.3% (28/30) of patients, and all patients who were employed preoperatively returned to work within 3 months. Two patients who required revision surgery reported symptom improvement within 3 weeks and did not require subsequent surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Positive clinical outcomes are reported 1 year postoperatively after implantation of a novel implant to treat sacroiliac joint pain. Future clinical studies with larger samples are warranted to assess long-term patient outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Arizona Spine Consultants, Phoenix, Arizona, USA. Electronic address: lhr4spine@aol.com.
authors.forename: Louis H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Rappoport
authors.affiliation: Musculoskeletal Education and Research Center (MERC), A Division of Globus Medical, Inc., Audubon, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: Ingrid Y
authors.initials: IY
authors.lastname: Luna
authors.affiliation: Musculoskeletal Education and Research Center (MERC), A Division of Globus Medical, Inc., Audubon, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: Gita
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Joshua
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001863:Bone Screws / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D017886:Durapatite / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012446:Sacroiliac Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D017886:Durapatite
keywords: SI joint fusion; Sacroiliac joint; Sacroiliac joint dysfunction