Healthcare Industry News: avascular necrosis
News Release - November 27, 2007
Wright Medical Group, Inc. Announces Launch of Innovative Biologic Grafting System for Core Decompression Surgery of the Hip
ARLINGTON, Tenn.--(HSMN NewsFeed)--Wright Medical Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: WMGI ), a global orthopaedic medical device company, today announced the commercial release of its innovative new biologic grafting system for use in core decompression surgical procedures. The core decompression surgical procedure is commonly used in treating patients with early stage avascular necrosis (AVN) of the hip. The biologic grafting system combines Wright’s new X-REAM™ Expandable Reamer with a simplified procedure kit that includes Wright’s proprietary PRO-DENSE™ Injectable Graft.Using Wright’s new system, the surgeon first drills a small channel through the neck of the femur to access and “decompress” the necrotic (diseased) bone. The X-REAM™ device is then inserted into the channel, the tip expanded and rotated, removing the necrotic bone in the process. PRO-DENSE™ graft is then injected into the surgically created space in order to regenerate healthy bone.
Robert Heck, M.D., an orthopaedic oncologist at the Campbell Clinic in Memphis, Tennessee stated, “Wright’s new system is a simple but important advancement to the standard core decompression procedure. Through a minimally invasive approach, I can now debride more of the necrotic bone lesion and fill the surgically created void with the PRO-DENSE™ graft. In a retrospective study of 35 hips in 24 patients over the past 18 months, the early results are very encouraging.”
The new biologic product offering complements Wright’s bone-preserving joint replacement options for patients with AVN, namely the CONSERVE® Total Hip System available in the U.S. and the CONSERVE® Plus Resurfacing Hip System, which is currently available in certain international markets.
The X-REAM™ / PRO-DENSE™ Grafting System will be made available to U.S. orthopaedic surgeons immediately, with availability internationally to occur in early 2008. The Company estimates there to be approximately 20,000 surgical interventions due to AVN annually in the U.S., with over 50,000 such interventions performed annually on a worldwide basis.
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.
Safe-Harbor Statement
This press release contains “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, 2006 under the heading, “Risk Factors” and 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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