---
title: "Sacroiliac Joint Fusion"
---
## What SI Joint Fusion Is
Sacroiliac joint fusion is a procedure that permanently stabilizes the sacroiliac joint, the joint connecting the base of your spine to your pelvis. It is reserved for patients whose SI joint pain has been confirmed through diagnostic injection and who have not responded adequately to non-surgical treatments including injections, physical therapy, and radiofrequency ablation.
Modern SI joint fusion is meaningfully different from older fusion approaches. It is performed minimally invasively through small access points using specialized implants designed for SI joint stabilization. Most patients are home the same day or after a brief stay.
## How the Procedure Works
The procedure is performed in our affiliated surgery center under image guidance and propofol sedation. The physician advances specialized implants across the SI joint through small access points. The implants stabilize the joint and promote bone fusion across the joint surfaces over the months following the procedure.
The procedure typically takes about an hour. Most patients leave the same day or after a brief observation period.
## Who Is a Candidate
SI joint fusion is typically appropriate for patients who:
- Have confirmed SI joint pain through positive diagnostic injections
- Have not responded adequately to non-surgical treatments including injections, physical therapy, and radiofrequency ablation
- Have a pain pattern, exam findings, and imaging that all support SI joint involvement
- Are otherwise medically appropriate for a surgical procedure
- Understand the procedure is irreversible and have realistic expectations
Most patients with SI joint pain do not need fusion; most are managed effectively with injections, RFA, and other interventions. Fusion is reserved for the subset whose pain has not adequately resolved with non-surgical care.
## What the Evidence Shows
Modern minimally invasive SI joint fusion has accumulating evidence for appropriately selected patients. Multiple randomized controlled trials and prospective cohort studies have demonstrated meaningful pain reduction, functional improvement, and quality-of-life gains compared to non-surgical management for patients meeting strict candidacy criteria.
Patient selection is the dominant factor in fusion success. Patients without confirmed SI joint pain or with multiple competing pain generators have lower success rates, so careful evaluation before recommending fusion is essential.
## Why Patients Choose PHI for SI Joint Fusion
## What to Expect
## Frequently Asked Questions
**Q: Is SI joint fusion the same as spinal fusion?**
No. Spinal fusion fuses vertebrae together. SI joint fusion fuses the sacroiliac joint specifically. They are different procedures for different conditions.
**Q: Will I be in the hospital after surgery?**
Most patients are discharged the same day or after a brief observation period. Our affiliated surgery center is designed for same-day or short-stay procedures.
**Q: How long is recovery?**
Most patients return to most activities within 2 to 3 months, with continued improvement up to 12 months. Full bone fusion across the joint progresses during this period.
**Q: Will I have hardware in my body permanently?**
Yes. The implants that stabilize the SI joint remain permanently. They become integrated as bone fuses across the joint over time.
**Q: What are the risks?**
Risks include the standard surgical risks of bleeding, infection, and post-procedure pain, plus the specific risks of any implanted device including potential for implant loosening or failure. Your physician will review the complete risk profile in detail.
**Q: What if the fusion doesn't work?**
Most patients meeting strict candidacy criteria experience meaningful improvement. For the minority who do not, your physician will work with you on continued management and potential additional interventions.
**Q: Can both SI joints be fused?**
In some patients, both SI joints contribute to symptoms. Bilateral fusion is performed for selected patients, typically as separate procedures spaced over several months rather than simultaneously.
**Q: How much does SI joint fusion cost at PHI?**
Insurance coverage and payment options may vary. All pricing is disclosed at consultation.
**Q: Do you accept international patients?**
Yes. Recovery from SI joint fusion involves multiple post-procedure visits over the following 12 months, so international patients should plan for return visits or coordinated follow-up with a provider in their home location.
> Two-year outcomes from a randomized controlled trial of minimally invasive sacroiliac joint fusion vs. non-surgical management for sacroiliac joint dysfunction. Peer-reviewed via PMC, 2016.
— [Polly DW, et al.](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5027818/)
> Consensus practice guidelines on sacroiliac joint complex pain from a multispecialty, international working group. Peer-reviewed via PMC, 2025.
— [McCormick ZL, et al.](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12681192/)
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