Preoperative Sacroiliac Joint Pain in Adult Spinal Deformity Patients: Incidence, Associated Factors, and Rates of Resolution With Surgery From a Prospective Multicenter Database.
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2026-03
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Abstract
Introduction
The sacroiliac joint (SIJ) is a potential source of pain in the ASD population. Incidence and predictors of preoperative SIJ pain and rates of resolution with surgery in the ASD population are not well understood.Methods
A prospective, multicenter database of surgically treated ASD patients was queried for baseline SIJ pain at the preoperative assessment. SIJ pain was defined as self-reported back pain in the posterior superior iliac spine region scored ≥4 out of 10 and ≥3 of 5 positive provocative SIJ maneuvers. Demographic data, spinal alignment parameters, and health assessments were assessed using Wilcoxon and χ 2 analysis. Predictors of preoperative SIJ pain were assessed with univariate and multivariate logistic regression.Results
A total of 735 patients were included with a mean (SD) age of 61.3 (15.3) years, BMI of 27.6 (5.4), Edmonton Frailty Score (EFS) of 3.4 (2.5), and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) of 1.1 (1.8). A total of 65% were female and 6% were tobacco users. A total of 411 patients had self-reported PSIS pain and 53 patients (7.2%) had preoperative SIJ pain as assessed by SIJ maneuver testing. SIJ pain was not associated with history of prior lumbosacral fusion ( P =0.23). Patients with SIJ pain had higher BMI (30.0 vs . 27.4, P =0.004), preoperative pain medication usage (92.5% vs . 77.7%, P =0.02), EFS (4.6 vs . 3.3, P <0.001), and CCI (1.6 vs . 1.0, P =0.006) as well as lower L4-S1 lordosis (28.7 vs . 34.5, P =0.02) and greater L1 pelvic angle (14.5 vs . 10.8, P =0.03). After variable selection with univariate regression, multivariate logistic regression identified higher BMI (OR 1.06, P =0.033) as a significant predictor of SIJ pain at preoperative. In the patient cohort with SIJ pain at preoperative, 91.7% reported no SIJ pain at 1-year follow-up. 11/53 (20.8%) patients with baseline pain and SIJ fusion performed concurrently with ASD surgery had 100% resolution of SIJ pain in this cohort; however, there was no significant difference in pain resolution between patients with SIJ fusion and those without ( P =1).Conclusion
We found a lower prevalence of preoperative SIJ pain in ASD patients than what has been historically reported, present in 7.2% of patients. Higher BMI was a predictor of preoperative SIJ pain in this population. ASD surgery led to resolution of SIJ pain in >90% of patients at 1-year follow-up.Type
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Turner, Jay D, Robert F Rudy, Jeffrey P Mullin, Anthony L Mikula, Brandon B Carlson, Justin K Sheer, Renaud Lafage, Virginie Lafage, et al. (2026). Preoperative Sacroiliac Joint Pain in Adult Spinal Deformity Patients: Incidence, Associated Factors, and Rates of Resolution With Surgery From a Prospective Multicenter Database. Spine, 51(5). pp. 354–359. 10.1097/brs.0000000000005520 Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/34839.
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Scholars@Duke
Peter Passias
Throughout my medical career, I have remained dedicated to improving my patients' quality of life. As a specialist in adult cervical and spinal deformity surgery, I understand the significant impact our interventions have on individuals suffering from debilitating pain and physical and mental health challenges. Spinal deformity surgery merges the complexities of spinal biomechanics with the needs of an aging population. My research focuses on spinal alignment, biomechanics, innovative surgical techniques, and health economics to ensure value-based care that enhances patient outcomes.
Christopher Ignatius Shaffrey
I have more than 25 years of experience treating patients of all ages with spinal disorders. I have had an interest in the management of spinal disorders since starting my medical education. I performed residencies in both orthopaedic surgery and neurosurgery to gain a comprehensive understanding of the entire range of spinal disorders. My goal has been to find innovative ways to manage the range of spinal conditions, straightforward to complex. I have a focus on managing patients with complex spinal disorders. My patient evaluation and management philosophy is to provide engaged, compassionate care that focuses on providing the simplest and least aggressive treatment option for a particular condition. In many cases, non-operative treatment options exist to improve a patient’s symptoms. I have been actively engaged in clinical research to find the best ways to manage spinal disorders in order to achieve better results with fewer complications.
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