The iFuse treatement
A treatment called iFuse (which has been approved by NICE), has been found to be 90% effective for patients with chronic, severe SI joint pain. It is minimally invasive and can replace steroid injections
This is the first time that a minimally invasive surgical implant to treat the debilitating pain caused by chronic SI joint problems has been approved for routine use in the NHS.
NICE estimates that 33% of the adult population of England has lower back pain; of whom 22% (646,000 people) have pain due specifically to SI Joint problems, yet according to NICE’s own estimates, only a tiny proportion of patients receive treatment for their condition, due to lack of awareness among the public and poor rates of diagnosis by clinicians.
NICE acknowledged the iFuse Implant System has unique benefits, including the improvement of quality of life for over 90% of patients presenting with prolonged, severe pain due to problems specifically with their SI joint, which lies at the bottom of the spine where it joins to the pelvis. The iFuse Implant is a triangular, titanium peg, which has a rough surface allowing new bone to grow on to it; to fuse the joint so it stops joint motion and associated pain.
Getting treatment
The iFuse treatment is available at The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital. You can find out more about whether this treatment could help you by reading this SI joint information leaflet. You can also view symptoms here.
Because the pain caused by the SI joint is not well understood, you can support your GP or clinician in their diagnosis by reading about questions to ask your GP or clinician