Journal CME September 2026: Minimally invasive sacroiliac joint fusion: Primary endpoint results from the prospective, multicenter STACI study-PM R - 2026 - Weisbein - Minimally invasive sacroiliac joint fusion Primary endpoint results from the prospective

PM R - 2026 - Weisbein - Minimally invasive sacroiliac joint fusion Primary endpoint results from the prospective

Pdf Summary

The STACI study was a prospective, multicenter, single-arm trial evaluating minimally invasive lateral sacroiliac joint (SIJ) fusion performed by interventional pain management physicians rather than surgeons. A total of 112 patients with confirmed SIJ pain at 15 U.S. sites underwent fusion using 3D-printed porous titanium implants.<br /><br />The primary endpoint was the change in SIJ pain at 6 months, analyzed with a noninferiority framework against prior surgeon-performed studies. Results showed a mean pain reduction of 5.2 points on a 0–10 scale, from 7.6 at baseline to 2.4 at 6 months, meeting the primary endpoint. Most patients improved meaningfully: 90.6% had at least a 2-point pain reduction, and 71.7% improved by 4 points or more.<br /><br />Function also improved substantially. The Oswestry Disability Index decreased by 25.8 points, from 52.1 to 26.6 at 6 months. Quality of life, measured by PROMIS-29, improved across all domains, including pain interference, physical function, sleep, depression, anxiety, and social role function. Patient satisfaction was high, with 90.6% somewhat or very satisfied.<br /><br />Safety outcomes were favorable. There were no serious or device-related adverse events, no intraoperative complications, and minimal blood loss. A small number of wound-related or other possibly related adverse events occurred, but overall complication rates were low and comparable to prior surgeon-led studies.<br /><br />The authors conclude that lateral SIJ fusion performed by trained interventional pain physicians appears safe and effective, with outcomes similar to previously published surgeon-performed trials. However, they emphasize that randomized comparative studies are still needed to confirm these findings.

Keywords

sacroiliac joint fusion

minimally invasive procedure

interventional pain physicians

3D-printed titanium implants

SIJ pain

Oswestry Disability Index

PROMIS-29

pain reduction

patient satisfaction

clinical trial