Editor's Message: Understanding the Sacroiliac Joint

The sacroiliac joint is the source of low back pain in 15% to 30% of patients.¹ In patients who have had a fusion to the sacrum it is even higher. There has been increasing interest in this topic from surgeons. Recent clinical trials^2,3 have demonstrated good outcomes with surgical intervention.

To provide additional insight on this important and challenging topic, the International Journal of Spine Surgery has compiled this focus issue. The articles include a summary of the biomechanics of the sacroiliac joint, a review of non-operative management options, a review of diagnostic and therapeutic injections, as well as reviews of the clinical and surgical implications of abnormal lumbosacral anatomy and surgical clinical trial data.

We hope you find this focus issue to be in a convenient compilation of information regarding the sacroiliac joint. There is still much work to be done on this topic, but the progress over the past 5 years has been substantial.