Hammertoe Challenges & Foot Innovate

Footinnovate.com and presenter Dr. Robert Anderson, MD will be hosting an online training session Hammertoe Challenges next Wednesday, August 31, 2011. With Wright Medical Technology participating with the session, I can only imagine that the discussion will involve their new hammertoe implant, the Pro-Toe VO.  

The Pro-Toe VO was released to the market earlier this year and is one of the latest options on the market that enables foot and ankle surgeons and patients the option of burring the implant internally as an alternative to the traditional external K-wire. The above link will lead you to more information about the Pro-Toe implant, while you can see all current Hammertoe implant options here. 

Limb Deformity Course Sept. 1st - 4th

The 21st Annual Baltimore Limb Deformity Course will be held this upcoming September 1st - 4th and includes the Pre-Course on Ponseti Clubfoot techniques as well as the Post-Course on Advanced Training with the Taylor Spatial Frame. The courses will cover multiple topics including application of internal & external fixation such as monolateral / circular external fixation and fixator-assisted plating and nailing.

Surgeons can still register for the course here.

New Fixation Network Video

Check out The Fixation Network as we have uploaded a new video sequence on inserting the Extremity Medical IoFix Implant. The video walks you through step by step from start to finish on inserting the implant and points out a few tips and tricks for making your case run more successful. The video focused on performing a calcaneocuboid joint arthrodesis, however, the implant can be used in multiple areas of the foot and ankle. Enjoy.....

Arrowhead Website Now Live

Information about the new hammertoe implant Arrow-Lok Digitial Fusion System, manufactured by Arrowhead Medical Devices Technologies, can now be accessed online as their website has officially launched. The new website is user friendly and visitors to the site have the ability to navigating through topics such as Surgical Tips & Tricks, Instrumentation, Instructions For Use, and Performance Testing Results.

Arrowhead Medical Devices Technologies, founded in August of 2010, specializes in developing medical devices for the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions. The Arrow-Lok Digital Fusion System is the first product for the company.

Medshape Cleared for IM Ankle Nail

Medshape Solutions have announced on their website that they have received FDA 510(k) clearance for their DynaNail Intramedullary Fusion Nail. According to the announcement,  

“The DynaNail’s unique, patented design utilizes shape memory alloy technology to actively adapt to changes, such as local bone resorption, in the arthrodesis (fusion) site. By adapting to such changes, the DynaNail may better maintain close apposition of the bones and compression across the fusion zone during the healing process.

The DynaNail device, intended for tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis procedures, incorporates an innovative shape memory internal element that is simply stretched during the insertion procedure. Once the nail is fixed in place with screws, the shape memory alloy element maintains the target fusion bones in close apposition and under sustained compression for longer time periods than static, non-adaptive intramedullary devices. Surgeons implant the DynaNail using a surgical technique similar to that of traditional ankle fusion nails, thereby dramatically reducing the learning curve required for the new technology.”

This will be the first intramedullary fusion nail on the market that is designed utilizing memory shape alloy technology for use in the Pantalar / Tibiotalocalcaneal Arthrodesis. This will be Medshape Solutions second foot and ankle medical device; they currently carry the Morhpix Bone Anchor.

Orthopaedic Trauma Resident Fracture Course

The Orthopaedic Trauma Association is holding the 2011 Comprehensive Fracture Course for Residents this October at the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas. The course will be from October 12-15 and will focus on all aspects of orthopaedic trauma care, including fracture stabilization and fixation techniques. You can print off the registration form here.

New Fixation Network Video

As FootandAnkleFixation strives to keep you up on the latest in foot and ankle implants and medical devices, we have also been in the process of creating The Fixation Network. This section of our website is designed to show you tips and pearls on a variety of implants and particularly in a quick and to the point fashion. The videos shorts are to help show you step by step the sequence for inserting new products, as well as to share tricks that may help facilitate intra-operative decision making.

Our first video is now up and demonstrates how the use of the drill guides can help facilitate the talonavicular fusion portion of the triple arthrodesis when using the Extremity Medical IoFix Implant. The drill guides can help show you where the IoFix Implant will be inserted as well as the placement for the corresponding screw. This is important, as if inserted incorrectly, the talonavicular screw may contact the subtalar joint arthrodesis screw. Watch below.

You can visit The Fixation Network here on the home page of FootandAnkleFixation.com

Medical / Surgical Mission Recap

Congratulations to all of those who participated in last week's medical / surgical mission trip to Comayagua, Honduras last week. With the aid of the International Foundation of Reconstructive Surgery, roughly 125 patients were treated in the clinic for foot and ankle issues and 30 patients underwent foot and ankle surgery. Procedures ranged from basic soft tissue pathology to more complex reconstructive procedures. Thank you to all of those who helped sponsor the mission and to those who donated medical supplies and implants. Check out a recap of the week below.

For those interested in how they can donate to the cause or get involved, you can read more about the foundation here.

New OrthoHelix Products

In an email released August 1st, OrthoHelix Surgical Designs has released information on two new products set for launch in the United States. The first product displayed was the OrthoHelix Distal Tibial Plate for procedures including Ankle Fractures, Medial Malleolar Fractures, or Pilon Fractures. The new OrthoHelix Distal Tibial Plate is anatomically contoured to sit anteriorly to avoid contact with the posterior tibial tendon and is intended to stablize fractures of the medial malleolus.

The second product set for launch is the OrthoHelix Mini MaxLock Extreme ISO Plate. This new plate, also known as the Intraosseous Sliding Osteotomy Plate, is geared towards plate fixation of a distal osteotomy for Hallux Abducto Valgus surgery. The first of its kind, this plate allows two screws into the capital fragment while at the same trime permitting the introduction of an interfragmentary screw into the body of the metatarsal with their PocketLock Technology. This is similar to the MMI Anchorage CP Plates for 1st MPJ Arthrodesis and Lapidus Arthrodesis that recently hit the open market, yet this ISO plate is the first of its kind for a distal bunion procedure. Stay tuned for when the full specs are released and our full review of these new products.

New STAR Ankle Video

SBI has released a new video on the STAR Ankle Joint Implant on youtube. Click below to watch the guided procedure as taught by Dr. James DeOrio, M.D.

You can read more about this Total Ankle Replacement / TAR as well as the other avaiable Ankle Joint Implants here.