Posterior-inferior sacroiliac joint fusion procedure employing an implant having a pair of fixation members connected by a bridge
A sacroiliac joint fusion procedure using surgical instruments specifically designed for access and treatment at a posterior inferior access region to the cartilaginous portion of the SI joint. The system allows for fewer devices implanted in the patient to reduce potential risks which are increased when having to place three or more implants. Due to the special design which resists the shear and nutational forces present at the SIJ, just a single implant can be used therefore reducing the amount of metal implanted into the patient while allowing for a great area for bone healing and bridging which provides a lasting relief to the otherwise excruciating low back, buttock and leg pain originating from the degenerative sacroiliac joint.
1. A method for fusing a sacroiliac joint having a sacrum, an ilium, a joint plane, a posterior inferior aspect, an intra-articular region, and a sacroiliac joint space defined between the sacrum and the ilium, the method comprising:
a. positioning an access sleeve up to the posterior inferior aspect of the sacroiliac joint, the access sleeve comprising a longitudinal axis, a length, a body extending the length, a body width extending between a sacral and an iliac side, a body height perpendicular to and less than the body width, a passageway extending through the body along the length and having a passageway width which is greater than a passageway height, a first pin hole extending through the body along the length and positioned at the sacral side of the access sleeve, a second pin hole extending through the body along the length and positioned at the iliac side of the access sleeve;
b. aligning the access sleeve to the sacroiliac joint such that: the longitudinal axis is generally in line with the joint plane; the body width and the passageway width are generally transverse to the joint plane; the first pin hole is positioned over the sacrum; and the second pin hole is positioned over the ilium;
c. delivering a first pin through the first pin hole and into the sacrum;
d. delivering a second pin through the second pin hole and into the ilium;
e. coupling an inserter to an implant, the implant having an implant longitudinal axis, an implant length, a distal end, a proximal end, a pair of longitudinally extending finger members extending the length and including a sacral member and an iliac member spaced apart from one another by a connecting portion coupled therebetween, the iliac and sacral members extending further distally than the connecting portion and defining an opening bound by the pair of longitudinally extending finger members and the connecting portion; and
f. delivering the implant at the sacroiliac joint such that: the iliac member enters the ilium lateral to the sacroiliac joint space; the sacral member enters the sacrum medial to the sacroiliac joint space; and the opening extends across the sacroiliac joint space.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the opening comprises a width extending between the pair of longitudinally extending members which is wider than a width of a portion of the sacroiliac joint space at the intra-articular region of the sacroiliac joint.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: selecting an implant configuration and size where the opening comprises a width extending between the pair of longitudinally extending members which is wider than a width of a portion of the sacroiliac joint space at the intra-articular region of the sacroiliac joint where the implant is delivered.