Stryker, Minor League Baseball Forge National Partnership

Stryker Corp. and Minor League Baseball (MiLB) are teaming up to educate the public about the latest innovations in joint replacement technology.

The first-of-its-kind multiyear national partnership designates the medical device company as “The Official SmartRobotics Joint Replacement Partner of Minor League Baseball.” In support of its commitment to making healthcare better, and as part of the broader MiLB partnership, Stryker is also the presenting partner of “Own the Walk”—the first-ever national platform that encourages fans of all ages to stay active through everyday activities like walking.

“We are thrilled to work alongside Minor League Baseball to bring the ‘Own the Walk’ platform to fans and communities across the U.S., while also supporting our veterans,” said Don Payerle, president of Stryker’s Joint Replacement division. “Minor League Baseball fans are not only passionate about the game, but they also care about spending active time together with loved ones, so what better way to get active than by spending a day with the family at the ballpark? Our country has endured a great deal over the past year and we want to engage local communities with fun and healthy activities, including learning about the importance of joint health and innovative medical technologies like Mako SmartRobotics.”
 
Together, Stryker and MiLB will host “Own the Walk” game day events at MiLB ballparks nationwide, where the latest innovation in joint replacement technology, Mako SmartRobotics, will be on full display to fans. At each event, fans will be invited to participate in several in-stadium experiences and activities, while learning about the benefits of Mako SmartRobotics, a technology that uses 3D CT-based planning software for hip and knee replacement that enables surgeons to create a 3D image of each patient’s unique anatomy.
 
In 2021, Stryker is taking its commitment to “Own the Walk” one step further: for every walk issued to a batter during the regular season, Stryker will donate $1 to K9s For Warriors, the nation’s largest provider of service dogs to American veterans living with military-related trauma. Stryker has been a committed partner of K9s For Warriors since 2015, having sponsored 31 service dogs to date—the largest number by any corporate partner.
 
The Nation Emerges from COVID-19
With the nationwide onset of COVID-19 in March 2020, both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American College of Surgeons recommended delaying non-urgent surgeries—including joint replacement—until the pandemic was better controlled. As the country begins to re-open, it is critical that individuals with joint pain revisit a treatment plan with their physician to prevent further pain and potential complications. Educational seminars at the ballparks with local orthopaedic surgeons are one avenue to educate individuals on their options and the latest technologies.
 
“The reputation and quality of Stryker’s products, along with its commitment to philanthropic causes, gives this partnership a solid foundation for growth,” said Kurt Hunzeker, Major League Baseball’s vice president of Minor League Business Operations. “Minor League Baseball continues to partner with companies that serve their communities, and with the help of Stryker, we can remain connected to our millions of fans and introduce them to new advancements designed to keep them active.”