09.16.15
Zimmer Biomet released its Subchondroplasty Procedure for the foot and ankle.
According to the company, since commercialization in 2010, surgeons have performed more than 10,000 subchondroplasty procedures, mostly on the knee. However, the procedure successfully has been applied to other joints as surgeons witnessed the benefits of treating subchondral bone defects.
Zimmer, prior to its recent merger with Biomet, acquired the business assets of West Chester, Pa.-based Knee Creations LLC in 2013. The acquisition included Knee Creations' Subchondroplasty procedure.
Zimmer Biomet officials claim the company has grown the technology since its acquisition “through surgeon education and expanded distribution.” Zimmer Biomet now owns 16 patents and eight trademarks in this area, with others pending.
"Prior to Subchondroplasty, I had no viable treatment for patients with chronic stress fractures in the foot and ankle,” said Erik Nilssen, M.D., of The Nilssen Orthopedic Ankle & Foot Center at The Andrews Institute in Gulf Breeze, Fla. “These injuries show up on MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), are very painful and often fail to heal with conservative treatment."
The Subchondroplasty Procedure is a minimally invasive outpatient intervention that addresses the defects associated with subchondral bone marrow lesions (BML). Diagnosed using MRI and physical exam, BML are associated with stress fractures or micro-fractures of the bone adjacent to the joint. Left untreated, the defects have been shown to lead to cartilage degeneration, limited function, pain and greater risk for joint deterioration.
Headquartered in Warsaw, Ind., Zimmer Biomet makes orthopedic reconstructive products; sports medicine, biologics, extremities and trauma products; spine, bone healing, craniomaxillofacial and thoracic products; dental implants; and related surgical products.
According to the company, since commercialization in 2010, surgeons have performed more than 10,000 subchondroplasty procedures, mostly on the knee. However, the procedure successfully has been applied to other joints as surgeons witnessed the benefits of treating subchondral bone defects.
Zimmer, prior to its recent merger with Biomet, acquired the business assets of West Chester, Pa.-based Knee Creations LLC in 2013. The acquisition included Knee Creations' Subchondroplasty procedure.
Zimmer Biomet officials claim the company has grown the technology since its acquisition “through surgeon education and expanded distribution.” Zimmer Biomet now owns 16 patents and eight trademarks in this area, with others pending.
"Prior to Subchondroplasty, I had no viable treatment for patients with chronic stress fractures in the foot and ankle,” said Erik Nilssen, M.D., of The Nilssen Orthopedic Ankle & Foot Center at The Andrews Institute in Gulf Breeze, Fla. “These injuries show up on MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), are very painful and often fail to heal with conservative treatment."
The Subchondroplasty Procedure is a minimally invasive outpatient intervention that addresses the defects associated with subchondral bone marrow lesions (BML). Diagnosed using MRI and physical exam, BML are associated with stress fractures or micro-fractures of the bone adjacent to the joint. Left untreated, the defects have been shown to lead to cartilage degeneration, limited function, pain and greater risk for joint deterioration.
Headquartered in Warsaw, Ind., Zimmer Biomet makes orthopedic reconstructive products; sports medicine, biologics, extremities and trauma products; spine, bone healing, craniomaxillofacial and thoracic products; dental implants; and related surgical products.