NEW ORLEANS – Ochsner Medical Center- Jefferson Highway announced today that neurosurgeon Daniel Denis, MD, performed the hospital’s first sacroiliac joint fusion surgery using the minimally invasive iFuse Implant System® – a procedure for patients with unresolved low back symptoms related to the sacroiliac joint, which connects the sacrum, the triangular bone at the bottom of the spine, with the pelvis iliac crest. Details were shared in a press release.
According to published literature, up to 30 percent of all lower back symptoms are sacroiliac joint in origin,1 but is usually not included when diagnosing lower back pain. This joint can become damaged through injury, or from normal wear and tear over time. When such damage happens, it can cause significant discomfort from the lower back down to the lower buttock region and the upper leg. This discomfort can lead to debilitation and one’s quality-of-life may greatly suffer.
“In one out of four patients, sacroiliac joint dysfunction is considered to be the main cause of low back pain,” said Dr. Denis. “Minimally invasive sacroiliac joint fusion has become a prominent treatment modality for sacroiliac joint dysfunction, offering long-term relief when more conservative measures have failed.”
The iFuse procedure is designed to offer a minimally invasive solution for patients who are no longer responding satisfactorily to conservative care and the prospect of a traditional open surgery is not desirable. The procedure takes about an hour and involves three small titanium implants inserted surgically across the sacroiliac joint. The entire process is done through a small incision, with no soft tissue stripping and minimal tendon irritation. Patients typically leave the hospital the next day after surgery and can usually resume daily living activities within six weeks, depending on how well they are healing and based on physician’s orders. The iFuse System is intended for sacroiliac joint fusion for conditions including sacroiliac joint disruptions and degenerative sacroiliitis.
As with all surgical procedures and permanent implants, there are risks and considerations associated with surgery and use of the iFuse Implant. Physicians should review the iFuse Instructions For Use for a complete discussion of contraindications, warnings, precautions and risks. Patients should discuss these risks and considerations with their physician before deciding if this treatment option is right for them. For more information on the iFuse Implant System®, go to www.si-bone.com.
Dr. Denis is a highly trained neurosurgeon whose passion for pain research has led to an expertise in complex spinal surgery. His expertise lies in minimally invasive microsurgical techniques to treat a wide variety of spinal and cranial disorders. Dr. Denis puts an emphasis on educating his patients on their conditions and engaging them in the decision-making process.
1. Szadek, et al. Diagnostic Validity of Criteria for Sacroiliac Joint Pain. Journal of Pain, 2009: 10(4) 354-368Deyo RA, Weinstein JN, Low Back Pain, N Engl J Med 2001: 344(5): 363-370
