Implants, systems, and methods for fusing a sacroiliac joint

A method of fusing a sacroiliac joint having a sacrum, an ilium, and a sacroiliac joint space defined therebetween, the method comprising:

• a) approaching a posterior access region of the sacroiliac joint space with a joint implant comprising:
• a first keel defining a plurality of openings therein, the first keel being generally planar, the plurality of openings extending through the first keel to opposite sides of the first keel via a plurality of channels, respectively;
• an intra-articular member coupled with the first keel in a generally perpendicular arrangement, the intra-articular member defining an inner cavity therein, wherein one of the opposite sides of the first keel defines at least a portion of the inner cavity;
• and
• an orifice extending from an exterior surface of the joint implant into the inner cavity, wherein the orifice is in fluid communication with the plurality of channels via the inner cavity;
• b) delivering the joint implant into the sacroiliac joint space through the posterior access region, the joint implant being oriented in the sacroiliac joint space such that:
• the intra-articular member is generally parallel with a joint plane of the sacroiliac joint space;
• and, the plurality of channels and the orifice are positioned within the sacroiliac joint space thereby bringing the orifice and sacroiliac joint space into fluid communication via the plurality of channels;
• and
• c) injecting a biocompatible material into the inner cavity via the orifice and with a delivery tool.

A method for fusing a sacroiliac joint having an ilium, a sacrum and a plane therebetween with an implant, the method comprising:

• providing an implant having a top surface, wherein the top surface comprises a proximal end, a distal end opposite the proximal end, a first lateral side extending between the distal end and proximal end, and a second lateral side extending between the distal end and proximal end and positioned opposite the first lateral side, a plurality of spaced apart openings defined on the top surface in a pattern, the plurality of spaced apart openings comprising first, second and third openings, wherein the first, second, and third openings each extend an opening length from the top surface into an inner portion of the implant, wherein the pattern is arranged such that:
• the second opening is positioned between the first and third openings;
• the first opening is positioned between the proximal end and the second opening;
• and, the third opening positioned between the distal end and the second opening;
• positioning the implant up to the sacroiliac joint;
• aligning the implant such that the first lateral side is aligned with a sacrum, the second lateral side is aligned with the ilium and the opening lengths of each of the first, second, and third openings lies substantially in the plane of the joint;
• and
• delivering the implant into the sacroiliac joint such that the first lateral side is positioned within the sacrum, the second lateral side is positioned within the ilium and the opening lengths of each of the first, second, and third openings lies substantially in the plane of the joint.