Research Concludes Generic Orthopedic Screws As Good As Brand Name

Research recently presented at the 28th annual Orthopedic Trauma Association (OTA) meeting showed that certain generic implants can deliver significant cost savings without sacrificing quality or outcomes.

The Reno Orthopaedic Clinic and the University of Nevada School of Medicine jointly conducted two independent Institutional Review Board-approved studies that were presented as posters at the OTA national meeting, held Oct. 3-6. These studies, using generic screws made by Reno, Nev.-based Orthopaedic Implant Company (OIC) examined the costs, implementation, and clinical outcomes of a cost-containment program at Renown Regional Medical Center based in the same city. Results indicated that generic orthopedic implants can provide a high-quality, safe, and affordable option for patients and hospitals.

The authors concluded that generic screws cut costs more than 65 percent; such savings can help dramatically lower implant costs and procedures. They noted the savings are similar to those seen within the generic drugs market.

“These studies demonstrate the ability of generic implants to significantly lower implant costs to hospitals, insurance carriers and patients while providing high quality care, potentially saving the health care system billions of dollars in unnecessary costs,” said the studies’ lead author, Peter Althausen, M.D., of the Reno Orthopaedic Clinic. “We’re excited but not surprised by the studies’ findings. These results empower surgeons, hospitals and patients to feel comfortable choosing generic implants without having to worry about sacrificing quality.”

The studies examined the use of generic equivalent 7.3 mm cannulated sacroiliac and femoral neck screws used in orthopedic trauma procedures. The generic 7.3 mm cannulated screws made by OIC performed as well as conventional screws for the fixation of femoral neck fractures and posterior pelvic ring injuries without affecting patient care, quality or outcomes.

In the first study, “Clinical and Economic Impact of Generic Implant Usage for the Treatment of Femoral Neck Fractures,” patients treated with generic 7.3 mm cannulated screws made by OIC were compared to 50 patients treated with conventional screws. The study looked at procedure time, estimated blood loss, complication rate, shortening, screw cutout, conversion to arthroplasty and varus collapse. There were no measurable differences between both sets of patients, and the hospital saved 67 percent in costs ($34,653 annually) by using OIC’s generic screws.

The second study, “Clinical and Economic Impact of 7.3 mm Cannulated Sacroiliac Scews,” compared 35 patients treated with generic cannulated screws from OIC to 44 patients treated with conventional screws for posterior pelvic ring injuries. In the generic group, surgeons implanted 45 screws and 40 washers (thin discs with a hole used to distribute the load of a screw). In the conventional group, surgeons implanted 59 screws and 50 washers. A blind reviewer found there was no increase in procedure time, estimated blood loss, complication rate, screw cutout, screw deformation or screw loosening. Hospital costs fell 73 percent ($14,472 annually); implant costs dropped significantly without any associated increase in complication rate or radiographic outcome.

Both studies concluded that common use of generic implants could have profound implications on trauma treatment.

OIC entered the medical device market in 2010, pledging to save more than $1 billion in healthcare costs by 2015. The company’s implants are 50 percent to 60 percent of the average market price of premium implants, potentially saving healthcare systems millions of dollars a year.

Photo of OIC Pedicle Screw courtesy of Orthopedic Implant Company.