Studies Paint Ceterix’s Novostitch in Glowing Light

Menlo Park, Calif.-based Ceterix Orthopaedics Inc., which makes surgical tools for minimally invasive soft tissue procedures, has seen positive findings from recent biomechanical studies of the company’s proprietary Novostitch technology.

Adam Anz, M.D., of the Andrews Institute in Gulf Breeze, Fla., presented results of a study that evaluated different types of suture patterns for repairing meniscus root tears in the knee at the annual Arthroscopy Association of North America meeting in Hollywood, Fla. The study found that sutures placed using the Novostitch device come closer to restoring the native root strength than previous techniques. Additionally, this can be done with the Novostitch via a straightforward arthroscopic approach.

The meniscus root attaches the meniscus in the knee to the top of the tibia (the lower leg). A root tear, an injury in which the meniscus is detached from the tibia, is a painful condition that renders the knee less stable.

“Injuries to the meniscus root are common. Root tears, if left untreated, have been shown to result in progressive knee arthritis and degeneration,” said Anz. “This study shows that this innovative technology offers improved strength over previous instruments, making it an exciting new option for these difficult cases as well as for other meniscal injuries.”

Additional biomechanical data recently presented at this year’s Orthopaedic Research Society conference in New Orleans, La., demonstrated that suture patterns delivered with the Novostitch meet or exceed the strength of those delivered via the gold-standard open surgical approach for two common types of tears.

“We are very excited by the results of these recent studies, which demonstrate the strength and improved biomechanics of suture patterns that can only be delivered with the Novostitch device,” said John McCutcheon, Ceterix’s president and CEO. “We have been extremely pleased by the reception that our technology has received in its early commercial release and believe that these results will help to further drive adoption.”

Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive surgical procedure performed by an orthopedic physician in which a damaged joint is treated through small incisions with specialized tools under the guidance of a tiny camera called an arthroscope.

Meniscus surgery is the single most common arthroscopic procedure in the United States, with roughly one million performed annually. Ceterix’s technology, which is reportedly currently in use by more than 100 U.S. physicians, is designed to enable orthopedic surgeons to more easily address complex knee injuries that are difficult to repair. Novostitch enables surgeons to place circumferential compression stitches in the knee meniscus, which is tightly surrounded by critical structures such as nerves, arteries and cartilage.