Traditional sacroiliac joint fusion surgery procedures require long hours in the operating room with patients often facing a lengthy recovery afterwards, but through minimally invasive surgical treatments, the procedure and recovery times have been drastically cut.
Patients with SI joint dysfunction suffer from frequent pain while standing and walking. Without intervention, the pain can be immense. In June 2020, Orthofix announced the FDA clearance of its FIREBIRDTM SI Fusion System, the first 3D-printed titanium bone screw to launch in the U.S. for treating sacroiliac joint dysfunction; the minimally-invasive product is now available in the U.S. on a limited market basis.
Here, Terrence Wright, senior vice president of Orthofix Spine marketing, and Kevin Kenny, global president of Orthofix Spine, discussed the FIREBIRD SI Fusion system and offered details on why the system is unique and what sets it apart from market alternatives.
Note: Responses were edited for style and clarity.
Question: Who would be a good candidate for the FIREBIRD SI Fusion System?
Terrence Wright: Patients who may benefit from the FIREBIRD SI Fusion System include those with pain in the lower back and buttocks that may be caused by degeneration of the SI joint as a result of stress to the joint. Common causes include trauma, lifting or twisting, pregnancy, natural childbirth, degeneration from previous lumbar spine surgery, stresses to the joint due to leg length differences, joint replacement or scoliosis, among others.
Q: Why might patients need sacroiliac joint fusion?
TW: Pain in the lower back and buttocks may often be caused by degeneration of the SI joint. Sacroiliac joint fusion is an important treatment option to reduce pain through a minimally invasive procedure that can enable patients to return to better function and quality of life.
Q: What makes the FIREBIRD SI Fusion System unique?
TW: Designed to compress and stabilize the sacroiliac joint, the FIREBIRD SI Fusion System is the first 3D-printed titanium bone screw for treating SI joint dysfunction. The system features screws with a porous mid-shaft region that allows bone to grow into its surface − creating a bond between the implant and the patient’s bone at the SI joint. Complementing this feature, the screws have a cannulated design that enables the surgeon to fill the implant with autograft and/or allografts like the Trinity EliteTM allograft with viable cells to help bone fusion.
Q: How do surgeons implant the FIREBIRD SI Fusion System in patients?
TW: The FIREBIRD SI Fusion System is implanted through a minimally invasive surgery that typically can be performed in about an hour. A minimally invasive approach may lead to less time at the hospital and a faster recovery than a traditional sacroiliac joint fusion surgery. The procedure with the FIREBIRD SI
Fusion System involves inserting two to four bone screws across the SI Joint to stabilize during the fusion process.
Q: Why should a surgeon choose the FIREBIRD SI Fusion System?
Kevin Kenny: Orthofix Spine prides itself in creating differentiated technology for the advancement of patient care. We are excited to bring the FIREBIRD SI Fusion System to market as an extension of our flagship FIREBIRD line of devices. This new system is another example of our commitment to providing surgeons and their patients with innovative options that interface with products and solutions within our portfolio.
Q: How do patients know they may be suffering from SI joint pain?
TW: The sacroiliac joint connects the hip bones to the sacrum. Covered with cartilage, the SI joints sit on each side of your spine and allow for some movement. They act as a shock absorber between the upper body and the pelvis and legs. Dysfunction of the SI joint may cause low back and/or leg pain that is typically worse when standing and walking. Published clinical literature indicates that sacroiliac joint pain is estimated to affect between 15-30 percent of individuals with chronic low back pain.
Q: What else can you tell us about the FIREBIRD SI Fusion System?
TW: In addition to its mid-shaft porosity and cannulated design, the system includes many additional features. The mid-shaft region is sized to help bone apposition for bony integration and help provide initial stability. Dual pitched threads and a tapered proximal end allow for compression across the SI joint. In addition, the system consists of cannulated, fenestrated screws that are available in an assortment of lengths and diameters to accommodate the variety of patient anatomies undergoing sacroiliac joint fusion.
The FIREBIRD SI Fusion System is intended for fixation of sacroiliac joint disruptions and intended for sacroiliac joint fusion for conditions including sacroiliac joint disruptions and degenerative sacroiliitis. The system is available now for physicians looking to improve patient outcomes and reduce operating times. For more information, visit www.Orthofix.com.
This article is sponsored by Orthofix.