DePuy Launches The Only Technology To Treat Intertrochanteric Hip Fractures Using Traditional Or Minimally Invasive Procedures

Main Category: Bones / Orthopedics
Also Included In: Medical Devices / Diagnostics;  IT / Internet / E-mail
Article Date: 23 Jul 2007 - 0:00 PDT

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DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc., has announced a new option for treating hip fractures: the Peak Fx™ Hip Plate System. This new technology stabilizes the hip fracture while sparing the surrounding tissues, which may support a faster recovery and rehabilitation.

Nearly 200,000 patients suffer the debilitating effects of intertrochanteric fractures in the United States each year.1 Surgery to repair these fractures can leave patients with a long, difficult rehabilitation caused partly by damage to surrounding muscles and tissues during surgery. In addition, many elderly fracture patients present with weak muscles or degraded bone from osteoporosis.

The new Peak Fx™ Hip Plate System addresses these issues with a unique low-profile tapered plate and a sleek instrument design that allows insertion into tissues without undue trauma to surrounding muscles. The lag screw is designed for optimum fixation to the femoral head, addressing the need for stability and fixation even in osteoporotic patients. The plate can be used with traditional surgical techniques or with minimally invasive tissue-sparing techniques. The surgical instruments used with the Peak Fx™ System have been modified to reduce OR time and simplify the procedure.

"Given how much a hip fracture affects a patient's life, our goal with this new technology is to repair the fracture while sparing the surrounding tissues as much as possible to leave the muscles as strong as they can be to support optimum recovery and rehabilitation," said Richard Kyle, M.D., Director of Orthopaedics, Hennepin County Medical Center. "By sparing more of the crucial tissues and vessels near the fracture, the new system provides surgeons with a modern alternative to nails and other devices."

About DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc.

DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc., a Johnson & Johnson company, is advancing the standard of orthopaedic patient care, with a focused commitment to help surgeons achieve excellence in surgical practice. Countless surgeons worldwide rely upon DePuy Orthopaedics every day in their treatment of patients. The company designs, manufactures and distributes orthopaedic devices and supplies including hip, knee, extremity, trauma, cement, orthobiologics, and operating room products. As a global leader in joint replacement products, DePuy Orthopaedics is committed to Restoring the Joy of Motion™ for patients whose mobility is restricted by severe osteoarthritis or other debilitating injury.

Reference:

1 Kyle RF, Ellis TJ, Templeman DC, et al. "Surgical Treatment of Intertrochanteric Hip Fractures With Associated Femoral Neck Fractures Using a Sliding Hip Screw." Journal of Orthopedic Trauma, 2005; 19:1.

DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc
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