Bone grafting technology has come a long way in the last few decades. Today, synthetic bone graft products can be used to successfully complete difficult surgeries and procedures. According to Grand View Research, the global market size for bone grafts and substitutes is about $2.96 billion. In order for a bone graft to be successful both the graft product and the procedure must be impeccable. Let’s take a look at what a surgical team will do during a typical SI implant surgery.
SI joint fusion is a type of procedure that is used to eliminate the pain of sacroiliac joint dysfunction. This can be used when less invasive methods such as joint injections have failed to provide relief. It is a breakthrough procedure for those struggling with joint dysfunction.
Not every suffering from SI joint dysfunction will need this procedure as the situation often resolves on its own after six weeks in physical therapy. More conservative treatments are also sometimes successful. SI joint fusion surgery is used in stubborn cases. The joint fusion solves the problem by adjusting the joint into a more favorable position. It also permanently stabilizes the joint by fusing the sacrum to the ilium. This can reduce movement which is the main contributor to the pain.
In order to reach the SI joint, it’s necessary for your doctor to go through the hip bone using a small incision in the buttocks. These muscles will be retracted to the side for access. Once the team has moved the gluteals to the side, they will then use a tiny pin to bore a hole into the ilium. A groove will be created using a drill. This groove will pass through the hip bone down to the sacrum. If there is any irritated tissue or bone spurs, it will be removed.
At this point, the surgeon will insert an implant into the groove. This SI implant relies on titanium pins and screws. This ensures the SI joint is firmly held in place.
Next, the surgeon will insert a bone graft into the SI joint as well. The grafting material can be sourced from other bones or synthetic bone graft material can be used. After some time, the sacrum and ilium will fuse together into one continuous strip of bone. When the sacrum and ilium are welded together in this way, the SI joint pain is often solved.
This is the typical course of action during this surgery used by the SI surgery team. If you’d like to learn more about bone grafting products, please contact SurGenTec today. We look forward to working with you!