Two-year outcomes of patients treated with iFuse Implant System for degenerative sacroiliitis or sacroiliac joint disruption published

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Si-Bone is pioneering the use of a minimally invasive surgical device to fuse the sacroiliac joint and has announced the publication of the first peer-reviewed journal article on the iFuse Implant System for the treatment of sacroiliac joint disruptions or degenerative sacroiliitis. The article, “Sacroiliac joint arthrodesis—minimally invasive surgical technique with titanium implants: report of the first 50 patients and outcomes”, published in The Open Orthopaedics Journal, is a retrospective study of the first 50 consecutive patients treated by a single surgeon in a single centre.  Patients were evaluated for pain and functional outcomes and showed early and sustained statistically significant improvement at all post-operative time points.  Complication rates were low and after an average of 40 months, more than 80% of patients reported that they would have the same surgery again.

In addition, the company also reported it has surpassed another significant milestone with over 5,000 patients treated with the iFuse Implant System since the product became commercially available in early 2009. In a recent analysis performed by Covance Market Access Services overall sacroiliac joint fusion procedure growth has increased over ten-fold from 2008 to 2012 and minimally invasive sacroiliac joint fusion appears to account for almost all of that growth and now comprises 85% of all sacroiliac joint fusions.

Jeffrey Dunn, president and CEO of Si-Bone said: “We are delighted to have this first peer-reviewed publication available showing additional evidence of the safety and effectiveness of the iFuse Implant System for treating patients with degenerative sacroiliitis or sacroiliac joint disruption. It also is our understanding that a number of surgeons have submitted, or are in the process of submitting, manuscripts to peer reviewed journals describing their experience with the iFuse in sacroiliac joint fusion. We continue to believe that sacroiliac disease has been under-diagnosed and under-treated for many years, and that these results validate the effectiveness of iFuse in this patient population.”

iFuse

According to the company, the porous coated iFuse is intended to provide immediate post-operative stabilisation, and allow for fusion to occur over the next several months. In addition, the iFuse is placed through a small incision intended to minimise disruption of the surrounding soft tissues.

Si-Bone received original clearance in November 2008 from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market the iFuse Implant System for fracture fixation of long bones and large bone fragments of the pelvis and an additional clearance in April 2011 for sacroiliac joint fusion for conditions including sacroiliac joint disruptions and degenerative sacroiliitis. The CE mark for European commercialisation was obtained in November 2010.

Clinical publications have identified the sacroiliac joint as a pain generator for up to 22% of low back pain patients. In addition, DePalma et al, Pain Medicine 2011, identified the sacroiliac joint as a pain generator in low back pain in 40 to 61% of post-lumbar fusion patients, so-called “failed back surgery” patients. Initial treatment options for patients with disorders typically involve non-surgical management and, when non-surgical treatment of the sacroiliac joint fails, surgical treatments such as the iFuse may provide an option.

The iFuse Implant System is a commercially available device in the USA and Europe. The iFuse procedure uses a small incision for delivery and implantation of titanium implants.  The implants are coated with a porous, titanium plasma spray that acts as an interference surface, designed to help decrease implant motion and provide immediate fixation and long term fusion. These implants have substantial thickness and sophisticated metallurgy and are able to produce a much stronger construct than that of conventional screws used to surgically fix bony structures. 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 Implants.