Fluoroscopically guided therapeutic sacroiliac joint injections for sacroiliac joint syndrome

Objective: To investigate the outcomes resulting from the use of fluoroscop ically guided therapeutic sacroiliac joint injections in patients with sacr oiliac joint syndrome. Design: A retrospective study design with independent clinical review was u tilized. Thirty-one patients were included; each patient mel specific physi cal examination criteria and failed to improve clinically after at least 4 wk of physical therapy. Each patient demonstrated a positive response to a fluoroscopically guided diagnostic sacroiliac joint injection. Therapeutic sacroiliac joint injections were administered in conjunction with physical therapy. Outcome measures included Oswestry scores, Visual Analog Scale pai n scores, work status, and medication usage. Results: Patients' symptom duration before diagnostic injection averaged 20 .6 mo. An average of 2.1 therapeutic injections was administered. Follow-up data collection was obtained at an average of 94.4 wk. A significant reduc tion (P = 0.0014) in Oswestry disability score was observed at the time of follow-up. Visual Analog Scale pain scores were reduced (P < 0.0001) at the time of discharge and at follow-up. Work status was also significantly imp roved at the lime of discharge (P = 0.0313) and at follow-up (P = 0.0010). A trend (P = 0.0645) toward less drug usage was observed. Conclusions: These initial findings suggest that fluoroscopically guided th erapeutic sacroiliac joint injections are a clinically effective interventi on in the treatment of patients with sacroiliac joint syndrome. Controlled, prospective studies are necessary to further clarify the role of therapeut ic injections in this patient population.