Sacroiliac Luxation From Cage to Navigated Robotic Assisted Surgery

How has the treatment of sacroiliac luxation evolved over the years?

During our recent Orthopaedic Surgical Navigation: Hands-on Course, we had the privilege of bringing together forward-thinking veterinary professionals to explore the cutting edge of surgical technologies. Among the most impactful moments of the event was the deep-dive presentation: “Sacroiliac Luxation: from Cage to Navigated Robotic Assisted Surgery.”

In this exclusive presentation, Professor L. M. Déjardin, a pioneer and leader in the field of orthopedics, guides us through the remarkable clinical and technological journey that has transformed the approach to this condition: from conservative management (cage rest) to the most advanced and precise navigated robotic-assisted surgical techniques.

This session perfectly encapsulated the extraordinary journey of veterinary orthopaedics, highlighting how far we’ve come in treating one of the most common and challenging pelvic traumas in small animals. The presentation walked the attendees through the three pivotal eras of this treatment:

• The Past: The “Cage Rest” Era: Historically, sacroiliac luxation was largely treated conservatively.
• The Challenge: Freehand Surgery: The shift to traditional surgical stabilization (using transcortical screws) marked a step forward, but brought severe challenges. The “safe corridor” in a dog or cat’s sacrum is just a few millimeters wide. Operating “freehand” in such a restricted space carries an exceptionally high risk of spinal canal or nerve damage.
• The Future is Here: Navigated & Robotic-Assisted Surgery: This is where Imaginalis technology changes the game. The presentation showcased the ultimate evolution: combining intraoperative 3D imaging with state-of-the-art navigation. Surgeons can now virtually plan the perfect screw trajectory with sub-millimeter accuracy. Guided in real-time by optical navigation and robotic assistance, what was once a high-risk, “blind” procedure is transformed into a highly predictable, minimally invasive surgery.

We are incredibly proud to drive this paradigm shift, empowering veterinary surgeons to move beyond the limitations of the past. By turning complex procedures into safe, guided, and precise operations, we are setting a new standard of care in veterinary medicine.