Sacroiliac Joint Fusion Comparison Study

Once the informed consent has been obtained, the following screening procedures/tests will be performed: * Local anesthetic sacroiliac joint block and steroid injection performed by a qualified Ochsner pain management provider in less than 3 months following the consent date * The subject will rate his pain level using the VAS at 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 hours after the sacroiliac joint block and steroid injection * Patient will be excluded from the study if they do not meet this criteria: VAS defined as at least 75% pain relief that is sustained for at least 2 hours in a 10 hours period after the block * Sacroiliac joint injection will be done without any analgesics but anti anxiety medication can be used on case by case based * The subject will attend a follow-up visit at 6 weeks after the SIJ block and steroid injection. During this visit if the subject's VAS has recurred to at least 50mm the patient will be randomized in either sacroiliac joint fusion or radiofrequency ablation. * Subjects with VAS smaller than 50mm will be seen at 12 weeks of follow-up. During this visit if the subject's VAS has recurred to at least 50mm the patient will be randomized in either sacroiliac joint fusion or radiofrequency ablation. Subjects with smaller that 50mm VAS will be excluded from randomization at this time point. Inclusion Criteria: Participation will be offered by treating physicians during an outpatient visit in the neurosurgery or pain management clinic. Subjects need to meet all in…