CornerLoc Joint Fusion
For those with sacroiliac joint dysfunction, there are many treatments available. One of them is the CornerLoc SI Joint Stabilization System. It is a minimally invasive procedure available to those who want to eliminate chronic pain from the joint. This treatment is fairly new but patients note it is easy to tolerate and creates serious relief from pain.
The sacroiliac joint runs between the pelvis and sacrum. The latter is a triangular bone near the bottom of the spine. It has five fused sections of vertebra. The sections can move as a child but become fully fused as an adult. The pelvic bone, or the iliac crest, connects to the sacrum, and the joints absorb shock while remaining largely stationary.
Sacroiliac joint dysfunction refers to pain in this specific joint. This occurs if the joint doesn’t move enough or moves too much. Excess movement can happen in pregnancy or through injury to the ligaments. Not enough movement can happen through joint diseases, like arthritis.
Treatment options are usually focused on restoring normal motion to the joint and reducing pain. The most common approaches include manual manipulation, psychical therapy, applying ice or heat, rest, and pain medications. In some cases, patients find relief through a pelvic brace, especially if the joint is painful and inflamed.
In cases where this doesn’t help, a corticosteroid is often the next step. An anesthetic is mixed with the steroid before it is injected into the sacroiliac joint. This helps reduce pain and inflammation. These treatments may help, but some people experience chronic pain in the sacroiliac joint.
A new option for this dysfunction is available through the CornerLoc SI Joint Stabilization System. It’s minimally invasive and created to offer optimal stabilization. The sacroiliac joint is prepared first before two allografts are placed in the joint. The grafts offer immediate stability and the right environment for fusion.
The physicians will place the grafts after making two tiny incisions in the lower back. This offers safe and easy access to the problem joint. Using the incisions, the doctor will place the two allografts in the joint, which offers immediate stability. The grafts will start to fuse the joints.
A local anesthetic is used to implant the leads or the patient may be sedated. A needle is placed into the epidural space to pass the leads. Once the leads are inside, the patient is woken to give the doctor feedback. When areas of pain are covered, the leads connect to a device worn on a belt.
In most cases, a trial run of a week is done. If there is relief from pain, a stimulation implant is added. Patients who do not want to move forward will have the leads and devices removed.
The CornerLoc implant grafts were approved for sacroiliac joint fusion in 2008. Studies done since then have shown a huge amount of success. If you want to learn more about this treatment option, Modern Pain Consultants can answer all your questions. Get in touch with us to see if this treatment could be right for you.