Far-Contralateral Oblique (FCO) Sacroiliac Joint Injection: Description of a Novel Technique

Sacroiliac (SI) joint arthropathy is the primary pain generator in approximately 15-25% of patients with axial low back pain and traditionally diagnosed with >50% pain reduction following an intra-articular injection localized to the inferior 1/3 of the SI joint. The conventional technique for accessing the SI joint encompasses a posterior approach with fluoroscopic guidance at 10-20SUPERSCRIPT ZERO contralateral oblique angulation, and minor adjustments to this approach have been implemented with varying degrees of success. The authors present a novel technique for SI joint injection, infiltrating the middle third of the joint through an alternative far-contralateral oblique (FCO) approach, angulation between 20-40SUPERSCRIPT ZERO. This approach theoretically endows easier access to the SI joint and at the very least provides another option for interventionalists in the diagnosis and treatment of sacroiliac joint pain. It can also be utilized to determine if a patient is a candidate for posterior percutaneous SI joint fusion. The authors sought to document this approach to ensure that it was both reproducible and safe, while recognizing the need for future studies.

Automated summary

This paper introduces a new technique for sacroiliac joint injection, which involves injecting drugs into the middle part of the joint through a far-contralateral oblique approach. This technique provides easier access to the joint and can be used for both diagnosis and treatment of sacroiliac joint pain, as well as determining the suitability for surgical treatment.