SmartTRAK is attending the upcoming North American Spine Society (NASS) meeting being held Sept. 25-28 in Chicago, and we can't wait to see all of our colleagues at the premier meeting for the spine market. To help you get ready for the meeting, Erin Dorgan, SmartTRAK Senior Analyst, Spine, has recorded a video update with the trends, key players and innovations to know before the show.

If you would like to see more of what SmartTRAK has to offer in spine market coverage, including some of our recent articles, or meet with us at NASS 2024,  just click the button below.

SmartTRAK takes a look at recent trends impacting the Foot & Ankle market.

As the first half of 2024 closes, SmartTRAK has observed a continued investment in the hallux valgus space. New implants and innovative instrumentation for hallux valgus procedures continue to push this segment to the forefront of the elective foot and ankle fixation space. While hallux valgus is front of mind for fixation, arthroplasty is also making waves as SmartTRAK continues to monitor toe replacement and advancements in ankle replacement.

As companies close out Q2 earnings, SmartTRAKcoverage has indicated slightly mixed results in the Extremities space. In this downloadable article, SmartTRAK examines recent trends impacting the Foot and Ankle market. including what's happening with hallux valgus procedures, which shows no signs of slowing down, and puts a spotlight on arthroplasty in the Foot &  Ankle segment

Click the button below to download and read the complete "Checking the Pulse of the Foot & Ankle Market" article by Natasha Weeks, SmartTRAK Managing Editor/Sr. Analyst Trauma & Extremities.

The 2024 HealtThe 2024 HealthpointCapital Investor Day is taking place on Friday, Sept. 13 in Las Vegas, and SmartTRAK will be there. Elise Wolf, SmartTRAK VP and GM of Orthopedics, has a new video update with everything you need to know before you go.

If you'd like to see more of what SmartTRAK has to offer in orthopedic coverage, including some of our recent articles on extremities, spine, enabling tech and total joints, just click the button below.

SmartTRAK is attending the upcoming American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society Meeting (AOFAS), being held Sept. 11-14  in Vancouver, and we can't wait to see all of our colleagues at the premier meeting for foot and ankle. To help you get ready for the meeting, SmartTRAK's GM of Trauma & Extremities, Natasha Weeks, has recorded a video update with the trends, key players and innovations to know before the show.

If you'd like to meet with Natasha in Vancouver or just read more of SmartTRAK's coverage of the Foot & Ankle market, visit SmartTRAK Foot and Ankle Central.

Andrew S. Murtha, MD addresses the controversy surrounding kinematic vs mechanical alignment in total knee arthroplasty.

Since the introduction of kinematically aligned knee arthroplasty in the mid-2000s, there has been controversy surrounding kinematic (KA) vs mechanical alignment (MA) in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Kinematic alignment in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) attempts to restore natural limb alignment, maintaining the natural kinematic axis and ligament balance of the patient's knee. In contrast, the classic method of mechanical alignment aims to create a neutral hip-knee-ankle (HKA) axis. Advocates for KA say the technique intended to mimic a patient’s natural knee alignment will result in a more natural feeling and functioning knee. SmartTRAK had the opportunity to interview Andrew S. Murtha, MD regarding the growing interest in KA, what is driving this interest and what the future holds for KA vs MA with feedback from Benjamin Stronach, MD, associate professor at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Dr. Murtha is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who is currently an adult reconstruction fellow at Houston Methodist Hospital. He is also a member of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons’ (AAHKS) committee on Patient and Public Relations.

SmartTRAK: What has been your experience with kinematic alignment in total knee arthroplasty?

Andrews S. Murtha, MD: Kinematic alignment is a technical strategy in total knee arthroplasty that aims to individualize implant position by replacing only the cartilage and bone lost during the arthritis process. In its truest form, it does not place restrictions on the alignment of the components. I do not use an unrestricted kinematic alignment strategy in my practice, but the concept has expanded parameters for what is considered acceptable implant position.

In your estimation, based on your experience, what percentage of surgeons currently use KA vs mechanical alignment?

AM: In my experience, the majority of orthopedic surgeons use an adjusted mechanical alignment strategy. However, there does seem to be greater acceptance for slightly modifying the bone cuts to accommodate the patient’s native anatomy, thus reducing the need for large soft tissue releases to balance the knee. I would estimate that the percentage of surgeons using a truly unrestricted, caliper-based, resurfacing-type kinematic alignment strategy is relatively low.

What trends are you seeing in clinical practice – is KA increasing, decreasing or staying the same? What do you think is driving or limiting adoption?

AM: In general, interest in the kinematic alignment strategy has grown over the past 15 years. This interest seems to be driven by

ISASS’s Morgan Lorio, MD, president-elect, discusses the obstacles to adopting emerging technologies in spine surgery and the importance of advocating for policy changes to support innovative treatments and improve patient outcomes in an interview with SmartTRAK.

Key topics discussed include ISASS’s successful efforts in addressing coding and reimbursement challenges to ensure access to innovative treatments for patients, the potential impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on reimbursement, the new ICD-10 codes for discogenic pain, regenerative spine treatments, future directions and initiatives for ISASS and fostering collaboration between industry stakeholders and surgeon societies.