Systems, apparatus and methods for stabilizing sacroiliac joints

Abstract

Systems are described for conducting minimally invasive medical interventions utilizing instruments and assemblies thereof to stabilize and/or fixate a dysfunctional sacroiliac (SI) joint. The systems include a drill guide having a bone dislodging member adapted to create a pilot SI joint opening in the dysfunctional SI joint through an incision comprising a length no greater than 3.0 cm; portions of the pilot SI joint opening being disposed in the sacrum and ilium bone structures. The drill guide includes a tri-mode fixation system adapted to position and stabilize the drill guide during creation of the pilot SI joint opening in the dysfunctional SI joint and delivery of the SI joint prosthesis therein. The systems also include a prosthesis assembly that includes a prosthesis configured and adapted to be advanced into the pilot SI joint opening of the dysfunctional SI joint, whereby the prosthesis transfixes and, thereby, stabilizes the dysfunctional SI joint, and supplemental bone fixation means configured and adapted to be inserted into the prosthesis and expand when the prosthesis is advanced into the pilot SI joint opening of the dysfunctional SI joint and enhance fixation of the prosthesis therein.