Subchondral Bone Changes Following Sacroiliac Joint Arthrodesis - A Morpho-mechanical Assessment of Surgical Treatment of the Painful Joint.

BACKGROUND

Sacroiliac joint arthrodesis is an ultima ratio treatment option for sacroiliac joint dysfunction. Fusion drastically reduces sacroiliac joint movement providing long-lasting pain-relief associated with tension-relief to the innervated sacroiliac joint structures involved in force closure.

OBJECTIVES

To display the bone mineralization distribution patterns of the subchondral bone plate in 3 distinct regions (superior, anterior, and inferior) of the sacral and iliac counterparts of the sacroiliac joint pre- and post-sacroiliac joint arthrodesis and compare patterns of sacroiliac joint dysfunction post-sacroiliac joint fusion with sacroiliac joint dysfunction pre- arthrodesis patterns and those from healthy controls.

STUDY DESIGN

An observational study.

SETTING

The research took place at the University of Basel, Switzerland, where the specific image analysis program (Analyze, v7.4, Biomedical Imaging Resources, Mayo Foundation, Rochester, NY, USA) was made available.

METHODS

Mineralization densitograms of 18 sacroiliac joint dysfunction patients pre- and post-sacroiliac joint arthrodesis (>= 6, >= 12, and >= 24 months post-surgery) were obtained using computed tomography osteoabsorptiometry. For each patient, pre- vs. post-surgery statistical comparisons were undertaken, using the Hounsfield unit values derived from the subchondral mineralization of superior, anterior, and inferior regions on the iliac and sacral auricular surfaces. Post-operative values were also compared to those from a healthy control cohort (n = 39).

RESULTS

In the pre-operative cohort at all 3 follow-up times, the superior iliac region showed significantly higher Hounsfield unit values than the corresponding sacral region (P < 0.01). Mineralization comparisons were similar for the sacrum and ilium in the anterior and inferior regions at all follow-up points (P > 0.5) with no surgery-related changes. Sacral density increased significantly in the post-operative state; not observed on the ilium. Post-operative sacroiliac joints showed a significantly increased mineralization in the superior sacrum after >= 6 months (P < 0.05), not replicated after >= 12 nor >= 24 months. Further comparison of post-operative scans versus healthy controls revealed significantly increased mineralization in the superior sacral region at (>=) 6, 12, and 24 months (P < 0.01), likely related to bone grafting, and in the anterior and inferior regions in post-operative scans at >= 12 and >= 24 months follow-up (P < 0.05).

LIMITATIONS

The given study is limited in sample size. Post-operative computed tomography scans had screws which may have left artifacts or partial volume effects on the surfaces. Healthy controls were different patients to the sacroiliac joint dysfunction and post-operative cohorts. Both cohorts were age-matched but this comparison did not take into account potential population differences. Size differences in the regions may have also been an influencing factor of the results as the regions were based on the size and shape of the articular surface.

CONCLUSIONS

Sacroiliac joint arthrodesis results in an increased morpho-mechanical conformity in the anterior and inferior sacrum and reflects variable morpho-mechanical density patterns compared to the healthy state due to permanent alterations in the kinematics of the posterior pelvis.