Over the years, we have collected the most common questions potential iFuse patients have had about the procedure. If your question isn't answered here, review our SI Joint Q&A or talk with your doctor.
Traditional sacroiliac joint fusion involves open surgery that may last up to a few hours. Open surgery includes a surgical incision to access the joint, removal of cartilaginous material from the joint, and use of bone grafts and screws to help fuse the joint. Patients typically require a several-day hospital stay.
The iFuse procedure is a minimally invasive surgical (MIS) option, meaning that it requires a smaller surgical incision, less time in surgery (about an hour), and potentially a faster healing process. The iFuse procedure may not require an overnight stay at the hospital.
If you have been diagnosed with SI joint dysfunction and have failed appropriate non-surgical therapies, your surgeon may discuss with you the option of minimally invasive SI joint fusion using the iFuse Implant System. An accurate diagnosis plus a history of trying non-surgical treatments that don't relieve the pain help determine whether you are a candidate.
iFuse may be used in patients with prior spinal surgery(ies) and existing spinal implants. Your doctor will determine whether your health, including any impact from previous surgeries, impacts your being a candidate for MIS sacroiliac joint fusion.
The iFuse procedure is minimally invasive, which means it's performed through a small incision just one to two inches long, on the side of the buttock. You will be lying face down while your surgeon prepares the bone and inserts the triangle-shaped implants, typically three of them, using fluoroscopic imaging to facilitate proper placement.
The surgical technique, implants, and supporting instrumentation are designed to minimize damage to the surrounding soft tissues during the surgical procedure.
Here's what to expect from your SI bone treatment overall, and here's what to expect from the iFuse minimally invasive procedure.
The iFuse Implants are small titanium rods about the size of your little finger. Titanium is a very strong but lightweight material, commonly used for medical device implants. The iFuse Implants have a triangular cross section to keep them from rotating once they have been implanted. They have a rough, porous surface to allow fixation to the surrounding bone. The implants provide immediate stabilization of the joint.
Yes, in the unlikely event that the implant needs to be removed or revised, there are special instruments designed to do so. The determination to remove an implant will be based on the treating physician’s best judgement.
The good news is that iFuse is made with titanium, a non-reactive metal with a long, successful history in soft tissues and bones in humans.
There are two types of testing:
Your doctor will most likely recommend using crutches, a cane or a walker for 3 or more weeks after surgery. Your surgeon will schedule a post-operative visit to evaluate the surgical incision, assess your progress after surgery, and advise you on resuming your daily living activities and return to work as your healing and symptoms allow.
Yes, the SI Buddy Program is designed to allow people who are considering iFuse to speak with someone who was successfully treated for sacroiliac joint (SIJ) disruption or degenerative sacroiliitis. To speak with an SI Buddy, you must have received a recommendation for the iFuse procedure by a trained surgeon.
Follow your doctor's post-operative instructions, which may include avoiding strenuous activities in the first six weeks. Follow your surgeon’s post-operative weight bearing and activity recommendations. Avoid smoking, which is thought to impair bone metabolism and fusion. Discuss your current medications with your surgeon; some medications may impair bone growth (for example: steroids). If you have osteoporosis, ask your doctor what osteoporosis medications might be best for your bone health.
Dose-dependent inhibition of diclofenac sodium on posterior lumbar interbody fusion rates
iFuse Implants are not anticipated to affect the ability to have other surgeries of the spine, hip, or pelvis.
A patient with this device can be scanned safely, immediately after placement under the following conditions:
Additional information is available in the Instructions for Use.
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