Possible use of arthrodesis for intractable sacroiliitis in spondylarthropathy - Report of two cases

Study Design. Two cases of successful sacroiliac joint arthrodesis for medi cally intractable aseptic sacroiliitis are reported. Summary of Background Data. Although successful arthrodesis of the sacroili ac joint had been reported previously for septic sacroiliitis, no report ha d shown the procedure to be effective for spondylarthropathy. Methods. Two women with spondylarthropathy involving very painful sacroilia c arthritis for 18 and 24 months had been relieved only transiently by seve ral injections of steroids into the sacroiliac joint under fluoroscopy and by Bermuda casts. Both patients underwent sacroiliac joint arthrodesis. Results. Both patients showed dramatic improvement after sacroiliac joint a rthrodesis. Moreover, no relapses had occurred, respectively, after 2 and 3 years of follow-up evaluation despite continuing spondylarthropathy in oth er joints. Conclusions. After a careful selection of patients, including positive bloc ks in the sacroiliac joint, arthrodesis of sacroiliac joint might be consid ered for so-called "intractable" aseptic sacroiliitis.