Healthcare Industry News: knee arthroplasty
News Release - May 22, 2006
Wright Medical Group, Inc. Introduces Enhanced ODYSSEY(TM) ``Distal Cut First'' Instrumentation for Less Invasive Knee Procedures
ARLINGTON, Tenn.--(HSMN NewsFeed)--May 22, 2006--Wright Medical Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: WMGI ), a global orthopaedic medical device company, today announced the launch of its next generation of ODYSSEY(TM) Distal Cut First (DCF) instruments for minimally invasive total knee replacement procedures. The instruments are reduced in size for minimally invasive surgery (MIS). Wright now offers MIS instruments for both distal cut first and anterior rough cut surgical approaches to total knee arthroplasty.Published clinical results demonstrate that MIS for knee replacement can result in a smaller surgical scar, faster rehabilitation and less postoperative pain. Instead of the standard 8 to 12-inch incision, MIS usually requires only a 4 to 6-inch incision. More importantly, MIS involves less dissection of the muscles of the knee. This, along with a variety of new pain management techniques, may reduce patient recovery times from 2-3 months to just 4-6 weeks.
For surgeons, MIS is a more challenging procedure than standard total knee replacement due to reduced site visualization and exposure. Wright's ODYSSEY(TM) DCF MIS instruments address these issues through their smaller size and multi-function design. The multi-function design requires fewer intraoperative steps than traditional instruments for increased surgical efficiency. The instrumentation's reduced size avoids damage to the surrounding soft tissues. These features work together to offer increased surgical efficiency.
The new ODYSSEY(TM) DCF MIS instruments are designed for use with Wright's ADVANCE® series of knee products, which includes the ADVANCE® Medial Pivot Knee and the ADVANCE® Double-High Knee. These implants are designed to provide more natural joint function and have been chosen "preferred" by 80% of surveyed patients who have received both an ADVANCE® knee system and a competitor's knee system. Wright believes that by combining the demonstrated benefits of its ADVANCE® family of implants with the new ODYSSEY(TM) DCF instruments for minimally invasive procedures, the Company may offer surgeons and patients significantly improved results in total knee arthroplasty.
About Wright
Wright Medical Group, Inc. is a global orthopaedic medical device company specializing in the design, manufacture and marketing of reconstructive joint devices and biologics. The Company has been in business for more than 50 years and markets its products in over 60 countries worldwide. For more information about Wright Medical, visit our website at www.wmt.com.
This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements made in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect management's current knowledge, assumptions, beliefs, estimates, and expectations and express management's current views of future performance, results, and trends. The Company wishes to caution readers that actual results might differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including the factors discussed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (including the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 under the heading, "Factors Affecting Future Operating Results," and in its quarterly reports), which could cause the Company's actual results to materially differ from those described in the forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the forward-looking statements are accurate, there can be no assurance that any forward-looking statement will prove to be accurate. A forward-looking statement should not be regarded as a representation by the Company that the results described therein will be achieved. The Company wishes to caution readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement. The forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement after this date.
Source: Wright Medical Group
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