SI University: SI Joint and iFuse Training
Since 2009, SI-BONE has trained thousands of healthcare providers worldwide on the iFuse Implant System®. SI University® offers a broad curriculum of educational programs on the diagnosis and treatment of SI joint disorders.
Formal and Specialty SI Joint Training for Surgeons and Healthcare Providers
Surgeons: SI University programs help surgeons not only build their knowledge on the diagnosis and treatment of SI joint pain, but also provide formal training on the iFuse Implant System.
HCPs: Specialty training programs have been created for HCP specialists, such as pain management physicians and mid-level providers, interested in learning about SI joint diagnosis and treatment. HCPs are welcome to join surgeon courses with their surgeon.
This comprehensive series of educational programs is for surgeons and other healthcare professionals (HCPs) who are part of the surgeon’s team.
SI Joint Courses for Surgeons
Faculty: Faculty for this course will include an experienced iFuse surgeon, a pain management specialist with expertise in SIJ diagnosis and non-surgical treatment, and a physical therapist with manual therapy specialization and experience treating SI joint patients.
- The faculty surgeon will present the basic science, the clinical literature and will lead the training on the iFuse Implant System.
- The pain management physician will speak on diagnosis, non-surgical management and injections. He or she may also demonstrate an SI joint injection in the lab.
- The physical therapist will speak on diagnosis and rehabilitation. The PT will lead the “hands on training” on the provocative maneuvers.
Advanced Course in SI Joint Surgery
Qualifications: This program is for surgeons who have already completed the SI Primary Surgeon Training Course and wish to further their knowledge and understanding of SI joint diagnosis and treatment. Pain management physicians and advanced practice providers are encouraged to attend this course with their affiliated surgeon(s).
Goals and Focus: The learning goals are for the attendees to become more confident and more competent in diagnosing SI joint pathology. Focus will be on differentiating SI joint pain from other potential pain generators such as the lumbar spine and/or hip.
Interactive Session: The learning sessions are designed to be free flowing and interactive. The faculty will discuss the SI joint patient from the context of their individual practices. The faculty will also discuss how they interact with the other specialty providers in a collaborative manner to provide optimal care for their SI joint patients. Since this is an interactive session, attendees are encouraged to bring case studies to discuss with the group.
Faculty: The faculty for this course will include a spine surgeon, a pain management physician, a physician assistant and a physical therapist. All faculty have significant experience in diagnosing and treating sacroiliac joint patients.
Masters’ Course in SI Joint Surgery
Attendees will discuss evaluation of the patient with continued or recurrent pain after the iFuse procedure and revision strategies.
A cadaveric session is included as part of this course. The cadaveric session will include posterior, lateral, and anterior approaches to the SI joint. Time will be allotted for focused individualized work in the lab.
Faculty: The surgical faculty for the Masters’ Course is drawn from highly experienced iFuse surgeons with demonstrated excellence in teaching their peers. The faculty may include an orthopedic trauma and/or hip surgeon as well as a pain management physician and a physical therapist.
Didactic & Soft Tissue Model Training for the Stealth & O-Arm Systems
This program is designed to train surgeons on utilization of the StealthStation and O-Arm Systems.
Educational Events and Specialty Courses for HCPs and Surgeons
SI Diagnostic Workshop: PA/NP Focused
Qualifications: This workshop is intended for mid-level providers working with trained iFuse surgeons.
Objectives: Overcoming diagnostic challenges, incorporating iFuse into a practice, and working collaboratively with other providers to develop practice specific pathways for the diagnosis and treatment of their SI joint patients.
Course description: Attendees will discuss strategies to incorporate the evaluation of the SI joint during history and physical examination of their patients with low back pain. Sessions will include training to differentiate pain coming from the SI joint from pain coming from the lumbar spine and/or the hip. Special “hands-on training” for physical examination including the SI joint diagnostic provocative maneuvers will be provided.
Continuing Education (CE) Events
SI-BONE/SI University partners with a number of certifying organizations to provide educational programs that may award continuing education credit hours. Attendees may utilize these continuing education credits to fulfill licensure requirements. Educational content is focused on the diagnosis and treatment of SI joint patients. Content for these presentations is tailored to the audience. Content is typically reviewed and approved by the certifying organization.
Continuing education credit programs are currently available for Physical Therapists and for Case Managers.
Case management is a collaborative process of assessment, planning, facilitation, care coordination, evaluation, and advocacy for options and services to meet an individual’s and family’s comprehensive health needs through communication and available resources to promote quality, cost- effective outcomes. Case managers help facilitate and coordinate care and care decisions.
SI-BONE is committed to improving patient care by advancing the diagnosis of lower back pain and the treatment of certain SI joint disorders through minimally invasive surgery for the sacroiliac (SI) joint.
