• Kiran Kumar Lingutla, Raymond Pollock, and Sashin Ahuja.
• Welsh Centre for Spinal Trauma and Surgery, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, Wales, UK.
• Eur Spine J. 2016 Jun 1; 25 (6): 192419311924-31.

Background ContextAlthough pain is generally regarded as originating in the lumbar spine, it has been estimated that in 15-30 % of patients, LBP originates from the sacroiliac joint (SIJ).PurposeTo determine whether sacroiliac joint fusion (SIJF) for LBP is effective in reducing pain when the SIJ is known to be the pain generator.Study Design/SettingSystematic review and meta-analysis.MethodsA systematic literature review and meta-analysis was performed of observational studies describing outcome of SIJF in patients with LBP. Outcome measures were VAS pain, ODI, SF-36 PCS/MCS and Majeed score. The following databases were searched: PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Medline and Google scholar. The methodological quality of selected studies was assessed using the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute case series quality assessment tool. Meta-analysis was used to combine the studies for each outcome and forest plots were prepared. Outcomes were expressed as mean difference (MD).ResultsSix studies were included in the meta-analysis with a mean follow-up of 17.6 months. All outcomes showed statistical and clinical improvement (VAS pain MD: 54.8; 95 % CI 48.6, 61.0; n = 380; p < 0.001, ODI MD: 14.5; 95 % CI 8.4, 20.6; n = 102; p < 0.001, SF-36 PCS MD: -19.5; 95 % CI -24.7, -14.2; n = 140; p < 0.001, SF-36 MCS MD: -8.5; 95 % CI -12.9, -4.1; n = 198; p < 0.001 and Majeed score MD: -35.4; 95 % CI -48.5, -22.2; n = 140; p < 0.001).ConclusionsSIJF appears to be a satisfactory procedure for alleviating pelvic girdle pain.

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