3D printing technologies continue to gain traction in total talus replacement, particularly as research demonstrates it’s an effective surgical option for patients with avascular necrosis. SmartTRAK highlights three recent studies illustrating how custom 3D printed metal implants are being used in total talus replacement surgery to restore normal joint anatomy and maintain joint range of motion.

SmartTRAK will be attending the 2021 American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society Meeting in Charlotte, NC, Sept 22-25, to learn more about this technology and other advancements in foot & ankle treatment. Click for information on AOFAS and how to meet with us while in Charlotte to find out what SmartTRAK can do for you.

1) Three Dimension Printing Talar Prostheses for Total Replacement in Talar Necrosis and Collapse

• • SmartTRAK Analyst Summary:
    • A retrospective study evaluated anatomical talar replacement & clinical results of 9 patients w/ talar necrosis & collapse (TNC) using 3D printed metal talus implants and reported talar height increased 6.97mm & AOFAS hindfoot score improved 53.34mm at mean follow-up of 23.17 months. Int Orthop
  •  Conclusion:
    • The study concludes "The 3D printing patient-specific total talar prostheses allowed anatomical reconstruction in TNC. This novel treatment with 3D-printed prostheses could serve as a reliable patient-specific alternative in TNC.”
      
      

After another difficult year, it's time to get out there and start reconnecting in person. SmartTRAK is excited to be traveling to Charlotte, NC to attend AOFAS at the Charlotte Convention Center, September 21-25.

SmartTRAK will be represented by Natasha Weeks, General Manager, Trauma & Extremities. Natasha is also managing our 3 newest modules, Pediatric Trauma, Pediatric Extremities and Pediatric Spine. If you would like to meet with Natasha while attending the meeting, just click here.

Now that we're back to in-person meetings, it's time to resume our continuing series Know Before You Go, so I sat down and asked Natasha a few questions about what she is looking forward to at AOFAS.

We are excited to announce the addition of the full market view of Orthopedic Pediatrics (US) to the SmartTRAK platform, featuring 3 modules covering Pediatric Trauma, Pediatric Extremities and Pediatric Spine!

Natasha Weeks, General Manager, Trauma & Extremities, will be managing Pediatric Trauma & Extremities and the Spine module will be managed by Julianne Burns, General Manager, Spine.

In the following video, Lindsey Wolejko, SmartTRAK's Director of Marketing, discusses with Natasha and Julianne what's included in each new module and why we're so excited about these additions to the SmartTRAK platform. To request more information about these offerings, please click here.

Q221 brought mixed reviews for Total Joints as Hips exceed pre-COVID levels and Knees fall flat

The Total Joints market accelerated sequentially with a return of patients and procedural volume growth in the quarter. However, compared to 2019, results varied by segment, The Hip Replacement segment put in the best performance with the US Hip Market in Q221 compared to pre-COVID’s Q219 levels. US Knees did not experience the same level of success as revenues were down.

Among the many topics covered in detail in our comprehensive Q221 Total Joints Market Recap* are:

• Complete Q221 Total Joints Market Overview and Highlights
• SmartTRAK's Expert Analysis and Insights
• Total Joints News including Revenues, Data, Charts and Shares
• US Market Growth Comparison Q221 vs Q219
• Acquisitions, Deals & Financing News
• New Products Hitting the Stage
• Q221 Regulatory Highlights 

Declining COVID cases, M&A and new products fueled the race to recovery in the Extremities Market

As COVID cases declined in Q221 and patient confidence increased, the Extremities Market was off to the races with a rev-up in deal-making and new product launches. Elective procedure volumes started to make a comeback but were not pedal to the metal and still lagged pre-COVID levels. However, new product launches helped fuel growth in the quarter with the US Extremities Market +43.9% YoY, an increase of +8.2% compared to Q219, reflecting change over pre-COVID market conditions. 

Among the many topics covered in detail in our comprehensive Q221 Extremities Market Recap* are:

Designing-Surgeon Dr. Arnold-Peter Weiss Discusses New WristMotion System Design, Outcomes and Implications

A new total wrist arthroplasty system, WristMotion*, is being introduced to the US market through Anika's*’ subsidiary, Arthrosurface*. WristMotion’s design is intended to address concerns of carpal loosening by incorporating a dual curvature design feature in the carpal side combined with a dorsal flange to allow for greater range of motion. In July, Anika announced* the first surgery utilizing the WristMotion Total Wrist Arthroplasty System was performed by designing-surgeon Arnold-Peter C. Weiss, MD, at University Orthopedics, RI.

To find out more, SmartTRAK interviewed Dr. Weiss about his early experience with the WristMotion total wrist and its implications for patients suffering from chronic wrist pain. To listen to the interview, recorded via Zoom, click on the following video (15:58 min). A link to download a transcript of the complete interview is also provided below.

The following is just a small sampling of recent Orthopedic updates from around the world compiled, reviewed and posted in real time by our SmartTRAK analysts. We constantly monitor the worldwide MedTech industry, sifting through the noise to present to our subscribers the most relevant international news, patents, trends, new products, financial data and competitor developments in the global Life  Sciences industry. 

Patents:

SmartTRAK reports that strong sales of spine robotic and enabling technology in Q121 continue to move the ball forward in the adoption curve. Companies are noting an inflection point on the pathway of these technologies becoming mainstream with centers buying multiple robots, and community and university hospitals adopting them.

Among the many topics covered in detail in our comprehensive Q121 CAS Spine Market Recap* are:

Despite an ongoing slowdown in elective procedures due to COVID, enabling technology continued to experience strong demand in orthopedics in Q121. Since the vast majority of patients who put off elective procedures due to the pandemic are expected to come back into the funnel, SmartTRAK anticipates that robotic and other technologies will continue to gain traction well into next year and beyond.

As the COVID-19 workplace restrictions ease up, the MedTech industry continues to progress with product innovation and plans for the future. In July, AOSSM and AANA are partnering for a combined annual meeting, the first in-person meeting for both since the start of the pandemic. SmartTRAK reports daily on the challenges still ahead, covering all aspects of the Sports Medicine market.

The following is just a small sampling of recent Sports Medicine related updates from around the world compiled, reviewed and posted in real time by our SmartTRAK analysts. We constantly monitor the worldwide MedTech industry, sifting through the noise to present to our subscribers the most relevant international news, patents, trends, new products, financial data and competitor developments in the global Life Sciences industry.

Patents:

• Zimmer Biomet* 

  Biomet Sports Medicine (ZBH) was issued US Patent “Method and apparatus for forming a self-locking adjustable loop”, describing methods and apparatus for forming a self-locking adjustable loop. 11,039,826

• Cannabinoid for Sports Med Applications
  Precision Biologic’s US Patent Application “METHODS OF USING CANNABINOID COMPOSITIONS IN SPORTS MEDICINE APPLICATIONS” was published. 20210128521

• Stryker*

  Stryker (Ivy Sports Medicine LLC) was issued US Patent “System and method for all-inside suture fixation for implant attachment and soft tissue repair”, describing an all-inside soft tissue repair device. 10,932,769