BULLETIN No. 03/2020
Pregnancy-related pain in ilio-sacral joint and its low-burden surgical treatment

L.F. Ciupik, R. Gasik, A. Kierzkowska, P. Powchowicz, E. Słoński, M. Sędziak

Abstract
Hormonal changes occurring during period of pregnancy lead to increased ligamentous joint laxity and widening of the pelvic joints. Reallocation of the center of the mass with the progress of pregnancy affects in increased load of lumbar spine and pelvic joints. In some women, this leads to excessive laxity of the iliosacral joints (ISJ) and symphysis pubis joint (SPJ). The result is a pain which is often mistaken with also appearing low back pain (LBP). The aim of this study is to present the problem of the pregnancy impact on the musculoskeletal system and to discuss the ISaF procedure as one of solutions for surgical treatment of the iliosacral joint when conservative treatment fails.

BULLETIN No. 02/2020
ISaF: Ilio Sacral autogenous Fusion – Scope of applications of the ISaF method in clinical practice

L.F. Ciupik, B. Hölper, P. Koszyk , P. Powchowicz, A. Kierzkowska

Abstract
In the correct qualification of patients with pelvic girdle pain or/and low back pain, conscious and extensive diagnostic, indicating the area and cause of dysfunction, is essential The assessment of the patient might be difficult due to the complexity of this area of the body. Based on the experience in the surgical treatment of the I-S joint using LfC’s ISaF (Ilio Sacral autogenous Fusion) method, the data was pre-collected and the patients were classified to form the groups of indications for I-S joint surgery. Clinical examples were given for the groups, but other needs and possibilities of using the ISaF method were also indicated, including the directions of its development.

BULLETIN No. 01/2020
Modern markers in non-metalic implants for spine surgery – Practical significance in CT imaging

L.F. Ciupik, A. Kierzkowska, J. Pieniążek, E. Słoński, A. Bonik

Abstract
Surgical implants require special biocompatible biomaterials. Currently in spine surgery, mainly used materials are titanium, titanium alloys, biopolymers (PEEK,PEK) and tantalum. Tantalum, like titanium and titanium alloys – is used as implant material, and may act as a marker for non-metallic radiologically translucent PEEK implants. The question is, what practical benefits tantalum brings to spine surgery? When compared to titanium it is heavier, has lower strength properties, and much higher price. Or is it just a marketing ploy? Study to verify the use of titan and tantalum in radiology was performed. Investigated were the identification properties of both biomaterials when exposed to various CT power magnitudes, and samples of different thicknesses were used. The results showed that use of tantalum in implantology might be justified only in special cases.