Description
Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) arthrography using fluoroscopic guidance with an injection of an anesthetic has been explored as a diagnostic test for SIJ pain. Duplication of the individual's pain pattern with the injection of contrast medium suggests a sacroiliac etiology, as does relief of chronic back pain with an injection of local anesthetic. Treatment of SIJ pain with corticosteroids, radiofrequency ablation (RFA), stabilization, or minimally invasive SIJ fusion has also been explored.
Summary of Evidence
Diagnostic
For individuals who have suspected SIJ pain who receive a diagnostic sacroiliac block, the evidence includes systematic reviews. Relevant outcomes are test validity, symptoms, functional outcomes, QOL, medication use, and treatment-related morbidity. Current evidence is conflicting on the diagnostic utility of SIJ blocks. The evidence is insufficient to determine that the technology results in an improvement in the net health outcome.
Therapeutic
For individuals who have SIJ pain who receive therapeutic corticosteroid injections, the evidence includes small randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and case series. Relevant outcomes are symptoms, functional outcomes, QOL, medication use, and treatment-related morbidity. In general, the literature on injection therapy of joints in the back is of poor quality. Results from two (2) small RCTs showed that therapeutic SIJ steroid injections were not as effective as other active treatments. Larger trials, preferably using sham injections, are needed to determine the degree of benefit of corticosteroid injections over placebo. The evidence is insufficient to determine that the technology results in an improvement in the net health outcome.
For individuals who have SIJ pain who receive RFA, the evidence includes five (5) RCTs using different radiofrequency applications and case series. Relevant outcomes are symptoms, functional outcomes, QOL, medication use, and treatment-related morbidity. Meta-analysis of available sham controlled RCTs suggests that there may be a small effect of RFA on SIJ pain at short-term (one to three (1-3) months) follow-up. However, the RCTs of RFA have methodologic limitations, and there is limited data on the duration of the treatment effect. The single RCT with six (6) and 12-month follow-up showed no significant benefit of RFA compared to an exercise control group at these time points. In addition, heterogeneity of RFA treatment techniques precludes generalizing results across different studies. For RFA with a cooled probe, two (2) small RCTs reported short-term benefits, but these are insufficient to determine the overall effect on health outcomes. An RCT on palisade RFA of the SIJ did not include a sham control. Another sham controlled RCT showed no benefit from RFA. Further high-quality controlled trials are needed to compare this procedure in defined populations with sham control and alternative treatments. The evidence is insufficient to determine that the technology results in an improvement in the net health outcome.
For individuals who have SIJ pain who receive SIJ fixation/fusion with a transiliac triangular implant, the evidence includes two (2) nonblinded RCTs of minimally invasive fusion, prospective cohorts with more than 85% follow-up, and case series. Relevant outcomes are symptoms, functional outcomes, QOL, medication use, and treatment-related morbidity. Both RCTs have reported outcomes past six (6) months, after which crossover was allowed. Both studies reported significantly greater reductions in VAS pain scores and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores in SIJ fusion individuals than in control groups. The reductions in pain and disability observed in the SIJ fusion group at six (6) months were maintained out to one (1) year compared with controls who had not crossed over. The RCTs were nonblinded without a placebo or an active control group. Prospective cohorts and case series with sample sizes ranging from 45 to 149 individuals and low dropout rates (less than 15 percent) also showed reductions in pain and disability out to five (5) years. The cohort studies and case series are consistent with the durability of treatment benefit. The evidence is sufficient to determine that the technology results in an improvement in the net health outcome.
For individuals who have SIJ pain who receive SIJ fusion/fixation with an implant other than a transiliac triangular implant, the evidence includes three (3) prospective cohort studies and retrospective case series. Relevant outcomes are symptoms, functional outcomes, QOL, medication use, and treatment-related morbidity. Two (2) prospective cohorts were conducted with transiliac screws and the third with a device inserted through a posterior approach. No controlled studies were identified. Meta-analyses of the available prospective and retrospective studies indicate improvement in subjective outcomes from before surgery to follow-up, but with a possible difference in outcomes between the more well studied triangular transiliac implant and other implant designs and approaches. There is uncertainty in the health benefit of SIJ fusion/fixation with these implant designs. Therefore, controlled studies with a larger number of individuals and longer follow-up are needed to evaluate these devices. The evidence is insufficient to determine that the technology results in an improvement in the net health outcome.
Diagnosis
Research into SIJ pain has been plagued by lack of a criterion standard to measure its prevalence and against which various clinical examinations can be validated. For example, SIJ pain is typically without any consistent, demonstrable radiographic or laboratory features and most commonly exists in the setting of morphologically normal joints. Clinical tests for SIJ pain may include various movement tests, palpation to detect tenderness, and pain descriptions by the individual. Further confounding study of the SIJ is that multiple structures, (e.g., posterior facet joints, lumbar discs) may refer pain to the area surrounding the SIJ.
Because of inconsistent information obtained from history and physical examination, some have proposed the use of image-guided anesthetic injection into the SIJ for the diagnosis of SIJ pain. Treatments being investigated for SIJ pain include prolotherapy, corticosteroid injection, radiofrequency ablation, stabilization, and arthrodesis. Some procedures have been referred to as SIJ fusion but may be more appropriately called fixation (this is because there is little to no bridging bone on radiographs). Devices for SIJ fixation/fusion that promote bone ingrowth to fixate the implants include a triangular implant (iFuse Implant System) and cylindrical threaded devices (Rialto, SImmetry, Silex, SambaScrew, SI-LOK). Some devices also have a slot in the middle where autologous or allogeneic bone can be inserted. This added bone is intended to promote fusion of the SIJ.
Regulatory Status
A number of radiofrequency generators and probes have been cleared for marketing by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) through the 510(k) process. In 2005, the SInergy® (Halyard; formerly Kimberly-Clark), a water-cooled single-use probe, was cleared by the FDA, listing the Baylis Pain Management Probe as a predicate device. The intended use is in conjunction with a radiofrequency generator to create radiofrequency lesions in nervous tissue. FDA product code: GXD.
