US20070270879A1 - Sacroiliac joint fusion alignment guide - Google Patents

Abstract

A device and method for defining a trajectory for instruments in a sacroiliac joint fusion procedure employs a handle and two movable guidance arms that are separated by an adjustable distance. The first guidance arm has a substantially straight pronged distal end terminating in a first prong, a second prong and a space between the first prong and second prong defining a first point in a straight trajectory for inserting screws into a sacroiliac joint. The guidance arm forms a receiving bore on a distal end thereof to define a second point in the trajectory. The pronged distal end is inserted through a posterior incision in the patient into a cored-out sacroiliac joint, with the second guidance arm outside the body, and the orientation of the alignment guide is adjusted by pivoting the alignment guide about the pronged distal end to determine a suitable trajectory. Instruments and implements are placed along the trajectory and guided by the alignment guide to drill screw holes and insert screws used in the sacroiliac joint fusion procedure into the screw holes.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention relates to a device and method for applying screws to fuse a sacroiliac joint in a patient.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• The sacroiliac (SI)joint10 is located between thesacrum11 and thehip bones12, known as the ilium, in the human body, as shown inFIG. 1, and functions to transmit forces from thespine14, includingvertebrae14a,intervertebral discs14band thecoccyx14c,to the lower extremities. Thesacroiliac joint10 is supported by ligaments and muscle. Thesacroiliac joint10 can degenerate over time, requiring a fusion procedure to stabilize the degenerated segment. For example, one condition, degenerative sacroiliitis, results in a narrow joint space with bone spur formation. Iatrogenic (i.e., induced by treatment) procedures, such as iliac bone graft damaging ligaments of the joint and/or previous fusions, can also cause degeneration, requiring sacroiliac joint fusion. Alternatively, infection, ligamentous disruption due to pregnancy, and/or trauma causing fracture dislocation may require a sacroiliac joint fusion procedure to provide sufficient stabilization to allow the patient to achieve a normal lifestyle.
• Traditionally, surgeons use screws, often with the combination of rods, to link the sacroiliac joint together. A standard sacroiliac stabilization procedure consists of the following steps: a posterior exposure to the spine, the removal of degenerated sacroiliac joint material, the posterior placement of a stabilizing screw/joint construct, or the lateral placement of screws directly through the sacroiliac joint, and, finally, the substitution of bone graft into the joint, which subsequently fuses to stabilize the sacroiliac joint region.
• To place stabilizing screws laterally in the sacroiliac joint region, a surgeon makes a secondary incision and drives screws through the external table of the iliac crest through the sacroiliac joint and into the sacrum. The trajectory of these screws is critical. If a surgeon places screws on a path too anterior, the screws may penetrate the sacral wall and damage the vessels that lie just beyond. If a surgeon places screws on a path too posterior, the screws may penetrate the sacral wall or sacral foramina and damage the nerves of the cauda aquina. Achieving and maintaining a precise trajectory can be difficult in the limited operating space. Therefore, a device to precisely guide the trajectory of the screws is optimal in a sacroiliac joint stabilization procedure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention provides a sacroiliac joint fusion alignment guide to allow accurate screw placement through the sacroiliac joint during a sacroiliac joint stabilization procedure. The sacroiliac joint fusion alignment guide is adjustable to allow use with varying patient anatomies. The sacroiliac joint fusion alignment guide includes a handle and two adjustable guidance arms for defining a trajectory for guiding screws and other instruments used in the sacroiliac joint stabilization procedure.
• The first guidance arm has a substantially straight pronged distal end terminating in a first prong, a second prong and a space between the first prong and second prong defining a first point in a straight trajectory for inserting screws into a sacroiliac joint. The guidance arm forms a receiving bore on a distal end thereof to define a second point in the trajectory. The pronged distal end is inserted through a posterior incision in the patient into a cored-out sacroiliac joint, with the second guidance arm outside the body, and the orientation of the alignment guide is adjusted by pivoting the alignment guide about the pronged distal end to determine a suitable trajectory. Instruments are placed along the trajectory and guided by the alignment guide to drill screw holes and insert screws used in the sacroiliac joint fusion procedure into the screw holes.
• According to one aspect of the invention, a sacroiliac joint fusion alignment guide is provided. The sacroiliac joint fusion alignment guide comprises a handle, a first guidance arm connected to the handle having a substantially straight pronged distal end terminating in a first prong, a second prong and a space between the first prong and second prong defining a first point in a straight trajectory for inserting screws into a sacroiliac joint and a second guidance arm coupled to the first guidance arm forming a receiving bore on a distal end thereof to define a second point in the trajectory.
• According to another aspect of the invention, a method of guiding screws into a sacroiliac joint of a patient comprises the steps of inserting a pronged distal end of an alignment guide through a posterior incision in the patient into a cored-out sacroiliac joint and adjusting the orientation of the alignment guide to determine a suitable trajectory, defined by the alignment guide, for the screws, the trajectory extending from the sacroiliac joint through an iliac crest and out of the patient.
• According to still another aspect of the invention, a method of guiding screws into a sacroiliac joint of a patient comprises the steps of providing an alignment guide comprising a handle, a first guidance arm having a distal end defining a first portion of a trajectory for inserting screws used to fuse the sacroiliac joint, and a second guidance arm having a distal end defining a second portion of the trajectory and using the alignment guide to insert screws along the trajectory and into the sacroiliac joint.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
• The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and apparent from the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings illustrate principles of the invention and, although not to scale, show relative dimensions
• FIG. 1 illustrates the region of the human body containing the sacroiliac joint targeted using a sacroiliac joint fusion alignment guide of an illustrative embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a sacroiliac joint fusion alignment guide according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the sacroiliac joint fusion alignment guide ofFIG. 2.
• FIG. 4A is a front view of the sacroiliac joint fusion alignment guide ofFIG. 2.
• FIG. 4B is a side view of the sacroiliac joint fusion alignment guide ofFIG. 2.
• FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrates the handle of the sacroiliac joint fusion alignment guide ofFIG. 2 according to one embodiment of the invention.
• FIGS. 6A-6E illustrate the first guidance arm of the sacroiliac joint fusion alignment guide according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.
• FIGS. 7A-7E illustrate the second guidance arm of the sacroiliac joint fusion alignment guide according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a sacroiliac fusion procedure using a sacroiliac joint fusion alignment guide according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.
• FIGS. 9A-9K illustrates the sacroiliac joint fusion alignment guide and related instruments during the steps shown inFIG. 8.
• FIG. 10 illustrates a sacroiliac joint fusion alignment guide according to another embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention provides an improved surgical device and method for performing a sacroiliac joint fusion procedure. The present invention will be described below relative to certain exemplary embodiments in spinal surgery to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the structure, function, manufacture, and use of the instruments disclosed herein. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be implemented in a number of different applications and embodiments and is not specifically limited in its application to the particular embodiments depicted herein. For example, while the illustrative embodiment of the invention relates to a sacroiliac joint fusion alignment guide used in sacroiliac joint fusion surgery, the sacroiliac joint fusion alignment guide may be used in any surgical process where a trajectory is used to guide instruments to a surgical site.
• FIGS. 2-4B illustrate an embodiment of a sacroiliac joint fusion alignment guide according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. The illustrative sacroiliac jointfusion alignment guide100 comprises ahandle120, afirst guidance arm130 for providing guidance to surgical devices at a distal end thereof, and asecond guidance arm140 for providing guidance to surgical instruments at a distal end thereof. The two guidance arms cooperate to define astraight trajectory160 for guiding instruments and implements used in a sacroiliac joint fusion procedure or other surgical procedure. The first guidance arm130 and thesecond guidance arm140 slidably engage to allow device adjustment of the length L between theguidance arms130 and140 to accommodate different patient anatomies.
• Thehandle120, shown in detail inFIGS. 5A and 5B, may be removable coupled to thefirst guidance arm130 and/or thesecond guidance arm140. Thehandle120 includes a grippingend122 that a surgeon may hold and acoupling end124. Thecoupling end124 may includethreads125 or other suitable coupling means for coupling thehandle120 to one or both of theguidance arms130 and/or140. The coupling mechanism is not limited to the illustrative threads and may comprise any suitable coupling means.
• As shown in detail inFIGS. 6A-6E, thefirst guidance arm130 includes a prongeddistal end132 for defining thetrajectory160 and a male engagementproximal end134. The prongeddistal end132 includes afirst prong1321 and asecond prong1322. Thespace1324 in the notch between thefirst prong1321 andsecond prong1322, shown inFIG. 6E, defines a portion of thetrajectory160 for receiving and guiding instruments during a surgical procedure, such as a sacroiliac joint fusion procedure. Theprongs1321 and1322 are preferably sized and dimensioned to receive a guidewire used in a sacroiliac joint fusion procedure in thespace1324 formed therebetween.
• In the illustrative embodiment, prongeddistal end132 is tapered to facilitate insertion of thefirst guidance arm130 into the sacroiliac joint10. As shown inFIG. 6D, thedistal end132 includessurfaces1325 and1326 that taper to a point at the distal end. The prongeddistal end132 is preferably bent in a direction away from the male engagementproximal end134. In the illustrative embodiment, the prongeddistal end132 extends substantially perpendicular to the male engagementproximal end134, but one skilled in the art will recognize that the prongeddistal end132 and male engagementproximal end134 may have any suitable orientation relative to each other. Preferably, thedistal end132 is substantially straight from the curved portion defining the transition between thedistal end132 and the male engagementproximal end134 to facilitate insertion of thedistal end132 into relatively small incision.
• The male engagementproximal end134 of the first guidance arm includes a coupling means, illustrated as a threadedhole341 on a top surface thereof for coupling to thehandle120. The coupling means may comprise any suitable means for receiving and/or coupling to thehandle120.
• The male engagementproximal end134 is also configured to movably couple to thesecond guidance arm140. In the illustrative embodiment, the male engagementproximal end134 includes anupper portion1342 and alower portion1341 that is wider than the upper portion to defineflanges1341a,1341bprotruding from the sides along the length of the male engagementproximal end134, as shown inFIG. 6C. Thetip1345 of the illustrative male engagementproximal end134 of thefirst guidance arm130 is rounded, but one skilled in the art will recognize that thetip1345 can have any suitable configuration.
• As shown inFIG. 7A-7E, thesecond guidance arm140 of the sacroiliac jointfusion alignment guide100 includes an attachmentdistal end142 defining thetrajectory160 and a female engagementproximal end144 for receiving the male engagementproximal end134 of thefirst guidance arm130. The attachmentdistal end142 of thesecond guidance arm140 includes a receivingbore1421 configured to accept a shaft having an arbitrary cross-section defining a portion of thetrajectory160. The longitudinal axis of the receivingbore1421 aligns with thetrajectory160. An obturator and/or another surgical instrument can pass through the receivingbore1421 on the distal end of thesecond guidance arm140, as described in detail below. Alocking mechanism1428 shown inFIG. 3, such as a set screw inserted in alocking bore1429, may be used to lock an obturator within the receivingbore1421. The receivingbore1421 may have any suitable size and shape suitable for defining the trajectory and for guiding instruments during a surgical procedure. The receiving bore1421 preferably has an openbottom end1422 to allow movement of theguidance device100 away from an instrument received in the receivingbore1421.
• The attachmentdistal end142 is bent away from the axis of the female engagementproximal end144. In the illustrative embodiment, the attachmentdistal end142 extends substantially perpendicular to the female engagementproximal end144, but one skilled in the art will recognize that the attachmentdistal end142 and female engagementproximal end144 may have any suitable orientation relative to each other.
• Thefirst guidance arm130 engages with thesecond guidance arm140 via the male and female engagement proximal ends134,144, respectively. As shown inFIGS. 7A-7E, the female engagementproximal end144 includes aslot1441 sized and configured to receive the male engagementproximal end134. Theillustrative slot1441 has an opentop side1442, atop portion1443 and a bottom portion1444 that is wider than the top portion, as shown inFIG. 7C, to receive the flanged bottom of the corresponding male engagementproximal end134. Theflanges1341a,1341bon thelower portion1341 of the male engagement proximal end engage the side walls in the bottom portion1444 of the receivingslot1441 to guide the male engagement proximal end in the slot.
• As shown inFIGS. 2-4B, the receivingbore1421 aligns with thespace1324 of the prongdistal end132 to define two sections of thetrajectory160. Thehandle120 attaches to thefirst guidance arm130 and may provide a means to manipulate thefirst guidance arm130 within thesecond guidance arm140, and also to lock the position of the first guidance arm relative to the second guidance arm. In one embodiment, thehandle120 rotates about its axis to loosen and/or tighten the connection between the guidance arms and/or between thehandle120 and the guidance arms.
• A ratcheting means or other device may be used to control the distance L between the two guidance arms. Alternatively, an infinite number of relative positions may be provided by sliding the guidance arms relative to each other.
• Guidingposts1432 are provided to allow ease of translation betweenguidance arms130 and140. For example, the guide may be gripped to facilitate translation of thefirst guidance arm130 relative to thesecond guidance arm140. Other guide mechanisms may be provided in place of the guide posts.
• Other suitable means for movably coupling the first andsecond guidance arms130,140 may be used.
• The second guidance arm (or the first guidance arm) may contain a stop to prevent the guidance arms from separating when the handle is in place. For example, the illustrativesecond guidance arm140 includes aprotrusion1470 at the proximal end of the female engagementproximal end144 that prevents the correspondingfirst guidance arm130 from pulling entirely out of theslot1441 when thehandle coupling end124 engages the threadedhole341 in thefirst guidance arm130.
• FIG. 8 illustrates the steps involved in performing a sacroiliac joint fusion procedure using thealignment guide100 according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.FIGS. 9A-9K illustrates the sacroiliac joint fusion alignment guide and related instruments during the steps shown inFIG. 8.
• The sacroiliac joint is first prepared for the sacroiliac joint fusion procedure insteps810 and820. In afirst step810, shown inFIG. 9A, asurgical coring instrument811 is used to core through theilium12 using a posterior approach to the sacroiliac joint10 through anincision815. Instep820, shown inFIG. 9B, the same or a differentsurgical tool811 is used to clean out the cartilage in the sacroiliac joint to create a cored-out sacroiliac joint10′, as shown inFIG. 9C.
• After preparing the sacroiliac joint10, instep830, the prongeddistal end132 of thefirst guidance arm130 is inserted through theincision815 into the cored out area of a sacroiliac joint10′, as shown inFIG. 9D. Thesecond guidance arm140 is located outside the patient's body to define thetrajectory160 extending laterally from the sacroiliac joint10′ outside the body. Preferably, the prongeddistal end132 contacts but is not fixed or attached to thesacrum11, ilium, or sacroiliac joint10′ to allow for the movement of the distal end of thesecond guidance arm140 relative to the distal end of thefirst guidance arm130 in multiple degrees of freedom. For example,alignment guide10 may be maneuvered and pivoted about the prongeddistal end132 by the surgeon to find aproper trajectory160 from the distal end of thesecond guidance arm140 to the pronged distal end of thefirst guidance arm130 inserted in the sacroiliac joint. Likewise, thedistal end132 of thefirst guidance arm130 may be maneuvered within the sacroiliac joint10′ to find a proper trajectory. After determining the proper trajectory, the surgeon holds the alignment guide in place during subsequent steps.
• Once the surgeon has selected the proper trajectory, the surgeon may deliver one or more instruments along the trajectory to prepare for positioning one or more bone anchors through the sacroiliac joint and may subsequently insert one or more bone anchors along the trajectory to fix the sacrum to the ilium at the sacroiliac joint. The following steps provide one exemplary method of preparing for and placing bone anchors at the sacroiliac joint. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize some of the exemplary steps may be deleted, or occur in alternative order or additional conventional surgical steps may be added.
• Instep840, shown inFIG. 9E, the distal end of anobturator841, or other selected surgical instrument, slides through the receiving bore1421 of thesecond guidance arm140 and passes through alateral incision816 into the patient's body, until the distal end rests on the surface of the iliac crest. Due to the configuration of thealignment guide100, theobturator841 extends and slides along thetrajectory160 defined by thealignment guide100.
• Preferably, theobturator841 is cannulated and oriented so that a guidewire can pass through a passage therein into the iliac crest through the sacroiliac joint10 and into thesacrum11 in the trajectory of the screw placement. Instep850, aguidewire950 is then inserted through theobturator841 into the ilium and across the sacroiliac joint10, shown inFIG. 9F. Theguidewire950 is inserted to a desired depth by reading index marks corresponding to theobturator841. Instep860, shown inFIG. 9G, theobturator841 is slid out from theproximal guidance arm140 of the alignment guide, leaving theguidewire950 in place, such that theguidewire950 extends from the sacroiliac joint10 out of the patient's body along the selectedtrajectory160.
• Instep870, thealignment guide100 may be removed, as shown inFIG. 9H, by pulling thealignment guide100 in a direction away from theguidewire950, leaving the guidewire in place. Theguidewire950 passes through thebottom opening1422 in the receiving bore1421 of thesecond guidance arm140 and from the prongeddistal end132 of thefirst guidance arm130 as thealignment guide100 is removed.
• Instep880, theobturator841 may be re-inserted along thetrajectory160 into the wound over theguidewire950 defining thetrajectory160. Instep890, afirst cannula892 slides into position over the insertedobturator841 and theobturator841 is removed, as shown inFIG. 9I. Then, instep900, a cannulated drill, having a drill stop is attached thereto and set to a desired depth, is inserted over theguidewire950, and through thecannula892, and drills ascrew hole906 along thetrajectory160 to the preset depth through theiliac crest11 into the sacroiliac joint10′, as shown inFIG. 9I.
• Instep910, afirst screw955 is inserted into the iliac crest through the sacroiliac joint10 and into thesacrum11 along thetrajectory160 defined by theguidewire950, as shown inFIG. 9J. The screw may be inserted by removing the drill and cannula and inserting thescrew955 on a self-retainingscrewdriver908. Thescrew955 is then inserted over theguidewire950 and into thescrew hole906. Theguidewire950, precisely placed using the alignment guide, precisely guides the trajectory of thescrew955 during placement. During drilling, the surgeon can place dilators over the obturator to protect the soft tissue.
• Steps830-910 may be repeated for amultiple screws956, shown inFIG. 9K, which is placed along asecond trajectory170 defined using thealignment guide100, as described above. After insertion of thescrews955 and956, the surgeon may fill or pack the sacroiliac joint withbone graft990 around thescrews955 and956 cause fusion of the sacroiliac joint10 instep920.
• According to another embodiment of the invention, shown inFIG. 10, a sacroiliac jointfusion alignment guide100′ may include anadjustable attachment piece190 defining asecond trajectory170 with anadjustment knob192 on thesecond guidance arm140. Therigid receiving bore1421′ on the distal end of thesecond arm140 may be split to form both abottom opening1422 and anupper opening1423 to allow removal of thealignment guide100′ once more than one guidewire is placed. As shown, theprongs1321′,1322′ on the prongeddistal end132′ of thefirst guidance arm130 are longer than the embodiment shown inFIGS. 2-7, such that thespace1324′ between theprongs1321′,1322′ aligns with both the receiving bore1421′ and theadjustable attachment piece190. Theillustrative attachment piece190 has an openbottom end191 to allow removal of thealignment guide100′ over surgical implements, such as a guidewire. Theadjustment knob192 allows for adjustment of the distance D between thetrajectory160 defined by thelower receiving bore1421′ and thetrajectory170 defined by theattachment piece190.
• During a fusion procedure using thealignment guide100′ ofFIG. 10, a first guidewire may be inserted using the instruments andtrajectory160 between thelower receiving bore1421′ and the prongeddistal end132′ as described above with respect toFIG. 8. A second guidewire may be inserted along thetrajectory170 defined by theadjustment piece190 and the prongeddistal end132′. To insert the second guidewire, a second obturator is placed through theadjustable attachment piece190 until the obturator rests on the surface of the iliac crest. The second guidewire is then inserted through the sacroiliac joint along thetrajectory170. Thealignment guide100′ is then removed by pulling thealignment guide100′ in a direction perpendicular and away from the two inserted guidewires, leaving the guidewires and obturators in place, all of which extend along and define one of thetrajectories160 or170. Then, screw holes are drilled along thetrajectories160 and170 through the iliac crest into the sacroiliac joint using a cannulated drill passed over the guidewires. Dilators may be placed over the obturators prior to removal to protect soft tissue during the drilling procedure. A screw is then inserted over each guidewire and placed into the iliac crest through the sacroiliac joint and into the sacrum along the corresponding trajectory. Then, as described above, the sacroiliac joint is packed with bone graft around the screws.
• The sacroiliac joint fusion alignment guide of the illustrative embodiments of the invention provides a precise trajectory for guiding surgical tools and implants during a surgical procedure, while allowing degrees of freedom to facilitate determination of an optimal orientation for the trajectory. The pronged distal end of the first guidance arm may be easily inserted into a small space in the sacroiliac joint, allowing maneuverability of the alignment guide to determine a suitable trajectory. The design of the guide also accommodates multiple patient anatomies and allows the surgical procedure to be performed in a minimally invasive manner thereby reducing tissue trauma and blood loss while minimizing incision size.
• The present invention has been described relative to an illustrative embodiment and application in spinal correction surgery. Since certain changes may be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
• It is also to be understood that the following claims are to cover all generic and specific features of the invention described herein, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Claims (23)

1. A sacroiliac joint fusion alignment guide, comprising:

a handle;

a first guidance arm connected to the handle having a substantially straight pronged distal end terminating in a first prong, a second prong and a space between the first prong and second prong defining a first point in a straight trajectory for inserting screws into a sacroiliac joint; and

a second guidance arm coupled to the first guidance arm forming a receiving bore on a distal end thereof to define a second point in the trajectory.

2. The sacroiliac joint fusion alignment guide of claim i, wherein the receiving bore has an open bottom end.

3. The sacroiliac joint fusion alignment guide ofclaim 1, wherein the distance between the first guidance arm and the second guidance arm is adjustable.

4. The sacroiliac joint fusion alignment guide ofclaim 1, wherein the first guidance arm includes a proximal engagement end bent away from the distal end for coupling to the second guidance arm.

5. The sacroiliac joint fusion alignment guide ofclaim 1, wherein the second guidance arm includes a proximal engagement end comprising a slot configured to receive the proximal engagement end of the first guidance arm.

6. The sacroiliac joint fusion alignment guide ofclaim 5, wherein the proximal engagement end of the first guidance arm includes flanges configured to engage side recesses in the slot of the second guidance arm.

7. The sacroiliac joint fusion alignment guide ofclaim 5, wherein the proximal engagement end of the second guidance arm includes bent away from the distal end.

8. The sacroiliac joint fusion alignment guide ofclaim 5, wherein the proximal engagement end of the first guidance arm includes a threaded hole for receiving a threaded distal end of the handle to couple the handle to the first guidance arm.

9. The sacroiliac joint fusion alignment guide ofclaim 1, wherein the first prong and the second prong on the first guidance arm are tapered and intersect to form a point at the tip of the distal end.

10. The sacroiliac joint fusion alignment guide ofclaim 1, further comprising an adjustable attachment guide coupled to the second guidance arm spaced from the receiving bore and defining a second trajectory spaced from the first trajectory.

11. A method of guiding screws into a sacroiliac joint of a patient, comprising the steps of:

inserting a distal end of an alignment guide through a posterior incision in the patient into a cored-out sacroiliac joint; and

adjusting the orientation of the alignment guide to determine a suitable trajectory, defined by the alignment guide, for the screws, the trajectory extending from the sacroiliac joint through an iliac crest and out of the patient.

12. The method ofclaim 11 wherein the distal end of the alignment guide is pronged.

13. The method ofclaim 11, wherein the alignment guide is adjusted in multiple degrees of freedom to select a suitable trajectory.

14. The method ofclaim 11, further comprising moving the distal end of the alignment guide within the sacroiliac joint to select a suitable trajectory.

15. The method ofclaim 11, further comprising the step of adjusting a distance between two guidance arms on the alignment guide to accommodate patient anatomy.

16. The method ofclaim 11, further comprising the step of inserting a guidewire along the trajectory defined by the alignment guide, such that the guidewire extends from the sacroiliac joint along the trajectory and out of the patient.

17. The method ofclaim 16, wherein the step of inserting the guidewire comprises the steps of:

inserting an obturator through a receiving bore on a guidance arm on the alignment guide, wherein the receiving bore aligns with the pronged distal end to define the trajectory;

inserting the guidewire through the obturator; and

removing the obturator from the alignment guide; and

removing the alignment guide, leaving the guidewire extending from the sacroiliac joint along the trajectory and out of the patient.

18. The method ofclaim 16, further comprising the step of drilling a screw hole into the sacroiliac joint following the trajectory using a cannulated drill inserted over the guidewire.

19. The method ofclaim 18, further comprising the step of inserting a screw into the drill hole.

20. A method of guiding screws into a sacroiliac joint of a patient, comprising the steps of:

providing an alignment guide comprising a first guidance arm having a distal end defining a first portion of a trajectory and a second guidance arm having a distal end defining a second portion of the trajectory;

adjusting the distal end of the second guidance arm in t multiple degrees of freedom to adjust the trajectory; and

using the alignment guide to insert screws along the trajectory and into the sacroiliac joint.

21. The method ofclaim 20, wherein the step of using the alignment guide to insert screws comprises the steps of:

inserting the distal end of the first guidance arm into the sacroiliac joint, such that the distal end engages a sacrum and provides the trajectory extending from the sacroiliac joint through an iliac crest;

passing a guidewire through the distal ends of the first and second guidance arms into the ilium and across the sacroiliac joint, such that the guidewire extends along the trajectory.

22. The method ofclaim 21, further comprising the steps of:

drilling a screw hole into the sacroiliac joint following the trajectory using a cannulated drill inserted over the guidewire; and

inserting a screw into the screw hole.

23. The method ofclaim 20, wherein the alignment guide contacts bone of the sacroiliac joint at the distal end of the first guidance arm and is allowed to pivot freely around the distal end of the first guidance arm to determine a proper trajectory.

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