Interventional Pain Management Specialist

Symptoms of SI Joint Dysfunction

• Dull, aching lower back pain that can range from mild to severe
• Sciatic-like pain in lower back or buttocks or down legs
• Stiffness and reduced range-of-motion
• Numbness or tingling in legs
• Pain climbing stairs or jogging
• Difficulty moving from sitting to standing or bending at the waist

Indicators of (SI) Sacroiliac

Sitting
Sit to Stand
Stepping Up

Making a Diagnosis

A variety of tests performed during physical examination, including FABER test, sacral thrust test, distraction test and palpation test all may help determine whether the
SI joint is_a source of your symptoms.
Additionally, X-ray, CT and/or MRI may be
helpful in the diagnosis of SI joint-related problems. The most reliable method to accurately dete mine whether the SI joint is the cause of your pain is to inject the SI joint with a local anesthetic. The injection will be delivered under fluoroscopic CT guidance to verify the accurate placement of
the needle in the SI joint. If your symptoms are decreased by at least 75°/o, the SI
joint may either be the source, or a major contributor, to your lower back pain.

SI Joint Dysfunction Causes

There are several factors that can predispose someone to SI joint pain,
most of which include forces that place a / significant amount of stress to the joint. V These include disruption of the lining
of the joint, ligament injury, art hrit is, spondyloarthropathy, trauma, infection, cystic disease, pregnancy, obesity, spinal deformities, previous spinal surgery, etc.

• 15-25°/o of patients presenting with low back pain have SI joint dysfunction.
• Up to 75°/o of postoperative lumbar fusion patients will develop significant SI joint degeneration after 5 years.
• 30°/o of the patients that underwent
  hip replacement showed functional impairment of one SI joint.

Treatment Options

Treatments for SI joint dysfunction typically focus on alleviating pain and restoring normal motion in the joint. Most cases are effectively managed using non-surgical treatments, including:

A brief rest period of 1-2 days
Applying ice or heat
Pain medication
Physical therapy
Supports or braces
SI joint injections

SI Joint Stabilization with Invictus

SI joint fusion is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that aims to stabilize the SI joint by fusing the Sacroiliac Joint. Using the Invictus designed implants, the procedure is done through a small incision and typically takes less than an hour.
Unlike other SI joint fusion methods, the Invictus System uses an allograft made of dense cortical bone that is placed directly
into the SI joint. The bone from which these implants are formed is a natural material
that enhances bone fusion and resists migration or loosening of the implant over time. With the larger footprint, it allows the opportunity for greater fusion success.

Other advantages include:

• Minimally invasive and decreased associated surgical trauma
• Minimal tissue and muscle disruption
• No conflict with other lumbar fusion devices
• 20 mm incision
• Minimal blood loss