iFuse SI Joint Fusion Procedures
“SI joint” is an abbreviation for the sacroiliac joint, which is where your iliac (hip) bones connect to the sacrum, a triangular bone at the bottom of your spine. The SI joints support the weight of the upper body when standing and play a large role in absorbing shock forces.
Due to this heavy workload, SI joint dysfunction is a common occurrence, and can cause chronic pain in the lower back, buttocks, thighs, hips, and groin.
SI joint dysfunction can be treated with a minimally invasive fusion procedure that relieves pain by stabilizing the SI joint.
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iFuse SI joint fusion implant
Twin Cities Pain Clinic offers two different SI joint fusion implant procedures. Both are minimally invasive and have proven to be highly effective options for those who have tried and failed non-surgical therapies to relieve SI joint-related pain.
Your provider will help determine which one is appropriate for your needs.
iFuse INTRA X® Allograft
The iFuse INTRA X™ Allograft implant is a minimally invasive procedure designed to provide stabilization in the SI joint and is performed entirely through a small incision in the lower back.
Using a bone access needle, two small cylindrical implants made of bone allograft are implanted into the SI joint. The implants promote natural bone fusion within the SI joint, providing stabilization and relieving chronic pain.
iFuse TORQ®
The iFuse TORQ joint fusion implant procedure is a minimally invasive surgery in which a series of titanium screws are implanted through the SI joint, fusing the hip bone and sacrum together to improve stability.
The screws have a highly specialized, textured outer layer that promotes the natural growth of bone on and through the implant. This creates a very strong bond that helps ensure the implant stays in place long-term.
What can I expect during the procedure?
You will be taken into the operating room and laid face down on the operating table. Under the supervision of a certified anesthetist, your anesthesia will be administered. Our staff will clean your skin at the incision site and apply a local anesthetic to numb your skin.
After a small incision is made along the side of the buttock, the physician will use a fluoroscope (a special kind of x-ray machine) to help guide a specialized implant tool to the appropriate site for the procedure.
The physician then uses the implant tool to create a series of small openings that pass from the pelvic bone, through the SI joint, and into the sacrum. The pegs or screws are then implanted into these openings, fusing the joint together.
The entire procedure only takes about one hour.
The physician then uses the implant tool to insert two allograft implants into the SI joint. The allograft implants are designed to provide immeidate stabilization and promote natural fusion in the SI joint
The entire procedure only takes about one hour.
What can I expect after the procedure?
You will be moved into the recovery area and monitored by a nurse for up to 60 minutes while the sedation wears off. Once sedation has worn off, your physician will discuss your recovery timeline and any activity or movement limitations you will need to observe.
You will need a driver to take you home upon discharge.
You may experience tenderness or aggravated symptoms at the incision site for several days after the injection. Apply ice packs to help with this pain.
iFuse SI joint fusion can be utilized as a treatment for:
Schedule an appointment with Twin Cities Pain Clinic to see if an iFuse SI joint fusion procedure can help relieve your chronic sacroiliac joint pain.
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1. Polly, David W., et al. “Two-Year Outcomes from a Randomized Controlled Trial of Minimally Invasive Sacroiliac Joint Fusion vs. Non-Surgical Management for Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction.” International Journal of Spine Surgery, vol. 10, 2016, p. 28, https://doi.org/10.14444/3028.
RELIEVE YOUR PAIN, RENEW YOUR LIFE!
