A transformational study has just been published in The Spine Journal—the world’s premier spine research publication—heralding a new era for interventional pain management. The multicenter, randomized controlled trial was led by Dr. Kingsley R. Chin, a renowned orthopedic spine surgeon, in collaboration with a team of trained IPM physicians. The research rigorously evaluated the safety and procedural competency of sacroiliac joint (SIJ) fusion performed by pain physicians who received specialized training through surgeon-developed programs.

About the Study

• Title: A Prospective Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial on Safety and Procedural Competency in SI Joint Fusion Performed by Interventional Pain Physicians Trained by a Spine Surgeon

• Lead Investigator: Dr. Kingsley R. Chin

• 276 adult patients underwent SIJ fusion utilizing Sacrix® titanium triangular implants and bioactive glass biologics

• IPM physicians performed these procedures in ambulatory surgery centers after standardized, hands-on training by spine surgeons

Key Findings

• Interventional pain physicians, after receiving comprehensive training from board-certified spine surgeons, achieved low complication (3.3%) and revision (1.8%) rates, comparable to traditional surgical benchmarks.

• The study revealed no significant difference in safety between IPM physicians supervised by spine surgeons and those overseen by other clinical specialists.

• Most surgical revisions were successfully handled by the original IPM physicians, demonstrating rising competency and proficiency in these advanced procedures.

Why This Matters

This landmark paper affirms that IPM physicians, equipped with proper training, can safely and effectively perform minimally invasive SIJ fusion. It offers strong evidence to support standardized credentialing and formal education pathways for pain doctors seeking to adopt new surgical techniques.

Expert Perspective:

"This study validates a new training paradigm that empowers IPM physicians to perform SIJ fusions safely and effectively when properly trained by spine surgeons. As we move spine surgery into outpatient settings and embrace interventional approaches, surgeon-led education becomes more essential than ever."
— Dr. Kingsley R. Chin

This research empowers the entire IPM community to pursue expanded procedural roles—improving patient access, safety, and outcomes.

Reference:

Chin KR et al. A Prospective Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial on Safety and Procedural Competency in SI Joint Fusion Performed by Interventional Pain Physicians Trained by a Spine Surgeon, The Spine Journal, 2025.