• Thomas J Kibsgård, Olav Røise, and Britt Stuge.
• Department of Orthopaedics, Division of Surgery and Clinical Neuroscience, Oslo University Hospital, Sognsvannsveien 20, 0372 Oslo, Norway. kibsgard@gmail.com.
• Bmc Musculoskel Dis. 2014 Mar 15; 15: 85.

BackgroundThe fusion of the pelvic joints in patients with severe pelvic girdle pain (PGP) is a controversial and insufficiently studied procedure. The aims of this study were to evaluate physical function and pain after sacroiliac joint (SIJ) fusion.MethodsA single-subject research design study with repeated measurements was conducted; pre-operatively and at 3, 6 and 12 months post-operatively. The outcome measures considered were the Oswestry disability index (ODI), visual analogue scale (VAS), and SF-36. Eight patients with severe PGP received open-accessed unilateral anterior SIJ fusion and fusion of the pubic symphysis.ResultsSeven patients reported positive results from the surgery. At 1 year post-operation, significant (p < 0.001) reductions in ODI (54 to 37) and VAS (82 to 57) were reported. The physical functioning, bodily pain, and social functioning scores in the SF-36 were also improved.ConclusionPositive and significant changes in disability and pain at 1 year after SIJ fusion were observed. Despite these positive results, open accessed anterior fusion of the SIJ was associated with adverse events and complications such as infection and nerve damage.

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