Spine published the paper.
Here are six things to know:
1. The paper involved a pooled analysis study of 423 patients from three combined multicenter prospective trials. Of these patients, 97 received non-surgical management and 326 underwent SI joint fusion with the iFuse implant from 2013 to 2015.
2. Researchers found efficacy, durability and opioid reduction to be greater in the iFuse implant group.
3. The study revealed smoking and opioid use predicted smaller improvements in pain relief and disability, while patient age and pain duration predicted greater improvements.
4. Daniel Cher, MD, SI-BONE vice president of clinical affairs and study co-author, said the study reflects SI joint fusion with iFuse implants yields better outcomes compared to non-surgical management.
5. Surgeons have used the iFuse Implant System in more than 25,000 procedures globally.
6. Commercial health plan Healthcare Service Corporation recently announced an exclusive coverage policy for iFuse for Blue Cross Blue Shield participants in Texas, Illinois, Montana, New Mexico and Oklahoma.
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