Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) fusion is a controversial yet last resort operative technique to address SIJ pain. The current study aims to determine the patient outcomes of SIJ fusions, in a single surgeon series utilising an anterior approach with 2 DC plates across the joint and iliac crest autograft.

Retrospective case series involving 11 patients who had 13 SIJ fusions performed over an 8 year period (2002–2010). Patients were identified by electronic key word search from databases at Middlemore hospital and the private sector. Dictated clinic letters and operation notes were reviewed to obtain demographic data and outcomes data including complications. Postoperative radiology reports were reviewed to document radiographic fusion status. Telephone interviews were conducted to measure clinical outcome scores via the Majeed Pelvic Score and the 12-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12).

10 out of 11 patients (entailing 12 SIJ fusions) responded and participated in the study, equating to over 90% follow up. 2 cases were managed at Middlemore Hospital, with the remainder in the private sector. All cases but one had a ‘post-traumatic arthritis’ etiology. Diagnosis was made by CT guided local/steroid injection into the joint in conjunction with CT/bone scan/MRI imaging. The Majeed score improved markedly for 9 of 12 SIJ fusions (75%). 10 of 12 patients stated they would have the procedure again. 7 of 12 fusions (58%) had postoperative complications including blood loss, haematoma, nerve injury (including one case of permanent foot drop), non-union, infection of the joint/metal ware, hernia and urinary retention. 5 of 12 fusions (42%) experienced altered sensation over the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve distribution. All except one patient eventually had x-rays or CT scans postoperatively that reported radiographic fusion of the joint.

In appropriately selected patients with SI joint arthrosis, 3/4 patients reported significant improvement in function and pain level after SIJ fusion. Chronic pain (from other sources) and major complications were a feature amongst those failing to benefit. Lateral femoral cutaneous nerve palsy has high incidence with the current operative technique.

Arthrosis of the hip joint can be a significant source of pain and dysfunction. While hip replacement surgery has emerged as the gold standard for the treatment of end stage coxarthrosis, there are several non-arthroplasty management options that can help patients with mild and moderate hip arthritis. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to review early prophylactic interventions that may help defer or avoid hip arthroplasty. Nonoperative management for the symptomatic hip involves minimizing joint inflammation and maximizing joint mobility through intra-articular joint injections and exercise therapy. While weight loss, activity modifications, and low impact exercises is generally recommended for patients with arthritis, the effects of these modalities on joint strength and mobility are highly variable. Intra-articular steroid injections tended to offer reliable short-term pain relief (3–4 weeks) but provided unreliable long-term efficacy. Additionally, injections of hyaluronic acid do not appear to provide improved pain relief compared to other modalities. Finally, platelet rich plasma injections do not perform better than HA injections for patients with moderate hip joint arthrosis. Primary hip joint arthrosis is rare, and therefore treatment such as peri-acetabular osteotomies, surgical dislocations, and hip arthroscopy and related procedures are aimed to minimise symptoms but potentially aim to alter the natural history of hip diseases. The state of the articular cartilage at the time of surgery is critical to the success or failure of any joint preservation procedures. Lech et al. reported in a series of dysplastic patients undergoing periacetabular osteotomies that one third of hips survived 30 years without progression of arthritis or conversion to THA. Similarly, surgical dislocation of the hip, while effective for treatment of femoroacetabular impingement, carries a high re-operation rate at 7 years follow up. Finally, as the prevalence of hip arthroscopic procedures continues to rise, it is important to recognise that failure to address the underlying structural pathologies can lead to failure and rapid joint destruction. In summary, several treatment modalities are available for the management of hip pain and dysfunction in patients with a preserved joint space. While joint preservation procedures can help improve pain and function, they rarely alter the natural history of hip disease. The status of the articular cartilage at the time of surgery is the most important predictor of treatment success or failure