Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42519187›Full record

ReviewBrain & spine2026

Minimally invasive sacroiliac joint fusion evidence gaps with biomechanics, devices, and industry influence: A narrative review.

Jimmy Wen, Arsh Alam, Naomi Pai, Allyson Kouche, Shannon Dwyer, Sam Warner, Megan Diana Hsu, Jose Silva, Foad Elahi

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Brain & spine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Jimmy WenHighland Hospital, Department of Medicine, 1411 E 31st St, Oakland, CA, 94602, USA.
Arsh AlamUniversity of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
Naomi PaiUniversity of California, 110 Sproul Hall #5800, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA.
Allyson KoucheHighland Hospital, Department of Medicine, 1411 E 31st St, Oakland, CA, 94602, USA.
Shannon DwyerHighland Hospital, Department of Medicine, 1411 E 31st St, Oakland, CA, 94602, USA.
Sam WarnerTouro University California College of Osteopathic Medicine, 1310 Club Drive, Mare Island, Vallejo, CA, 94592, USA.
Megan Diana HsuHighland Hospital, Department of Medicine, 1411 E 31st St, Oakland, CA, 94602, USA.
Jose SilvaSutter Roseville, Department of Emergency Medicine, 1 Medical Plaza Drive, Roseville, CA, 95661, USA.
Foad ElahiCalifornia Center of Pain Medicine & Rehabilitation, 4944 Sunrise Blvd, Fair Oaks, CA, 95628, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction: Over the past decade, rapid growth in surgical approaches, implant designs, and industry involvement has expanded clinical adoption for minimally invasive sacroiliac joint fusion (SIJF), yet the supporting evidence remains unclear. Research question: This narrative review critically examines current literature on minimally invasive SIJF with emphasis on SIJ biomechanics, surgical approaches (lateral, posterior, and posterolateral), implant technologies, clinical outcomes, safety profiles, and market influences, while highlighting persistent evidence gaps. Material and methods: A narrative review was conducted using PubMed to evaluate studies reporting on clinical outcomes, device trends, biomechanics, and complications of minimally invasive SIJF. Results: The lateral transiliac approach is the most extensively studied and demonstrates consistent improvements in pain and function, though it carries higher reported complication rates due to proximity to neurovascular structures. Posterior and posterolateral approaches have gained popularity more recently, showing promising early clinical outcomes and lower complication rates, but are supported by fewer high-quality studies and shorter follow-up periods. Biomechanical investigations suggest that minimally invasive SIJF primarily achieves joint stabilization rather than complete arthrodesis, challenging traditional definitions of "fusion." Discussion and conclusion: Across approaches, heterogeneity in study design, outcome measures, follow-up duration, and patient selection limits direct comparison and generalizability. High-quality randomized controlled trials with long-term follow-up, standardized outcome reporting, and direct comparisons among techniques are needed. Improved integration of biomechanics, patient-specific anatomy, and implant design will be essential to guide evidence-based decision-making and optimize patient outcomes in minimally invasive SIJF.

Indexed as

LateralPosteriorPosterolateralSacroiliac jointStabilization

Identifiers

PMID42519187
PMCPMC13382333

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.