Our Summary
The sacroiliac joint (SIJ), located in the lower back and buttocks, can often cause pain if it’s not functioning correctly. One way to treat this pain is through minimally invasive surgery where a small triangular titanium implant is placed in the joint. This study looks at a new type of screw, coated with a substance called hydroxyapatite, used in this surgery.
The study followed 32 patients who underwent the surgery using the new screw. They were checked at 3, 6, and 12 months after the operation to see how they were doing. Most of the patients were around 55 years old, and about two-thirds were women. The surgery was fairly quick (less than an hour on average), and there wasn’t a lot of blood loss. Most patients stayed in the hospital overnight, and a few needed to stay an extra day.
The researchers found that the patients’ back and leg pain reduced significantly a year after the surgery. Almost all of the patients had a stable joint after the surgery, and those who were working before the surgery were able to return to their jobs within 3 months. Only two patients needed to have their surgery revised, but even they reported feeling better within three weeks and didn’t need any more surgeries.
In conclusion, the results a year after the surgery were promising. However, more studies with more people are needed to see if these positive results can be expected in the long term.
FAQs
- What is the new type of screw coated with for the sacroiliac joint fusion surgery?
- How long after the surgery were patients able to return to work?
- What were the results of the study a year post-surgery for patients who underwent sacroiliac joint fusion?
Doctor’s Tip
A helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about joint fusion surgery is to follow post-operative care instructions carefully, including physical therapy and rehabilitation exercises, to ensure optimal healing and recovery. It’s also important to communicate any pain or discomfort during the recovery process to your healthcare provider so they can make any necessary adjustments to your treatment plan.
Suitable For
Patients who are typically recommended joint fusion are those who have chronic pain in the sacroiliac joint that has not responded to conservative treatments such as physical therapy, medication, or injections. These patients may have conditions such as sacroiliac joint dysfunction, degenerative joint disease, or arthritis. Joint fusion may be recommended if the pain is severe and significantly impacts the patient’s quality of life.
Timeline
Before the joint fusion surgery, a patient likely experiences chronic pain in the lower back and buttocks due to dysfunction in the sacroiliac joint. This pain may have been ongoing for an extended period of time and may have limited the patient’s ability to perform daily activities.
After the joint fusion surgery, the patient may experience immediate relief from back and leg pain. The surgery itself is minimally invasive and relatively quick, with most patients able to go home the day after the procedure. In the months following the surgery, the patient’s pain continues to decrease, and they may be able to return to work within a few months.
Overall, the patient’s quality of life improves significantly after the joint fusion surgery, with most patients reporting a stable joint and reduced pain levels a year after the procedure. While the results of this study are positive, further research is needed to determine the long-term effectiveness of this treatment.
What to Ask Your Doctor
Some questions a patient should ask their doctor about joint fusion using a new screw coated with hydroxyapatite include:
- How does the new screw coated with hydroxyapatite differ from traditional screws used in joint fusion surgery?
- What are the potential risks or complications associated with using this new screw?
- How long does it typically take to recover from joint fusion surgery using this new screw?
- Are there any specific activities or movements that I should avoid after the surgery?
- What kind of physical therapy or rehabilitation will be necessary after the surgery?
- How likely is it that I will need a revision surgery in the future?
- Are there any lifestyle changes I should make to help improve the success of the surgery?
- What kind of follow-up care will be needed after the surgery?
- Are there any specific warning signs or symptoms I should watch out for after the surgery?
- Are there any alternative treatments or therapies that could be considered instead of joint fusion surgery with the new screw coated with hydroxyapatite?
Reference
Authors: Rappoport LH, Luna IY, Joshua G. Journal: World Neurosurg. 2017 May;101:493-497. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2017.02.046. Epub 2017 Feb 16. PMID: 28216399