Solana Surgical Now Online

FootandAnkleFixation.com is pleased to announce the addition of Solana Surgical. This global orthopedic company currently offers the Metatarsal Decompression Implant for Hallux Rigidus and Hallux Valgus assocaited with arthritis. The hemi implant is Titanium based with a Cobalt Chromium coating and is available in 4 different sizes. You can read more about the Metatarsal Decompression Implant as well as watch the implant's insertion sequence here.

New Product: BME Speed

Biomedical Enterprises (BME) has announced the release of their latest implant, the Speed. This Nitinol staple is designed to facilitate intraoperative technique and overall ease of insertion. The Speed system comes pre-loaded and the Insert-n-Twist action is used to unlock the staple upon insertion without the need for heat activation.

Read more about the Speed and all other available BME products at FootandAnkleFixation.com

Zimmer Acquires ExtraOrtho

Zimmer Orthopedics has announced the acquisition of ExtraOrtho, Inc. This further enhances the external fixation line offered by Zimmer, as the merger adds the XtraFix External Fixation System to their foot and ankle product line.

“This acquisition further enhances Zimmer’s position in the vital and growing external bone fixation market,” said Jeff Paulsen, President, Zimmer Global Businesses. ”The XtraFix technology is one of the most simple and effective solutions for external fixation, and we’re confident that trauma care professionals will welcome this addition to Zimmer’s comprehensive portfolio of external and internal fixation products.”

Both foot and ankle product lines are viewable at FootandAnkleFixation.com

More Fixation Articles

On the heels of the October edition of Clinics in Podiatric Medicine & Surgery, in which the entire journal was dedicated to the Advances in Fixation Technology in foot and ankle surgery, the Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery now has a similar issue. Their November edition has 12 articles that specifically involve new findings and techniques with a variety of surgical fixation, including the Arthrex Tight Rope suture button, Gramedica HyProCure arthroereisis, Wright Medical Inbone total ankle replacement implant, Smith and Nephew Taylor Spatial Frame, and the Box total ankle replacement. Additionally, there are publications that involve screw fixation versus locking plates, external fixation with callus distraction, and new techniques with both screw fixation and wire fixation.

Whether new concepts are presented for the first time or previously described methods are further supported, these publications help aid in the overall evolution of foot and ankle surgery. Our goal at www.FootandAnkleFixation.com is to help create surgical awareness about your fixation options, as it not only impacts you as a physician but also your patient.

Advances in Fixation Technology

We here at SurgicalFixation.com were excited and enthused when we came across the recent October publication of Clinics in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery (www.theclinics.com). The issue is dedicated to “Advances in Fixation Technology for the Foot and Ankle”. This collection of articles proves exciting for us as it demonstrates that there is value in our work of aggregating fixation information.This publication also validates the importance of staying informed about what’s available for use in surgery, as this knowledge will continue to drive the evolution of foot and ankle technology and ultimately the nature of foot and ankle surgery. Clearly put, as fixation technology continues to evolve, there is a direct impact on surgical techniques and surgical standards. This directly impacts you as a surgeon and ultimately the patient.

One of the more noticeable advancements in surgical fixation technology in recent times is the evolution of the locking plate. Most surgeons by now are familiar with the “apple video” that demonstrates the effective pullout strength comparison between non-locking and locking screws. This technology has rapidly evolved as the standard in fracture fixation and is becoming increasingly more common in elective surgery. One article in the October edition of The Clinics in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery, Locking Plate Technology and Its Use in Foot and Ankle Surgery, reviews this innovation and its impact on foot and ankle surgery.

At SurgicalFixation, we echo consulting editor Thomas Zgonis when he says that advances in fixation technology for the foot and ankle are simply evident by the seemingly endless stream of new products within the field. We couldn’t agree more, and this is the premise for developing www.FootandAnkleFixation.com. New products will continue to shape the future of foot and ankle surgery and our authoritative resources will continue to strive to broadcast the most up to date surgical fixation information, thus keeping surgeons maximally informed and prepared.

Stabilization with HyProCure Implant

Arthroereisis implants for subtalar joint instability have become a fast and reliable procedure for foot and ankle surgeons. Dr. Michael Graham, DPM of the Graham International Implant Institute has released a paper this month (J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 101(5): 390-399, 2011) on his findings with the implant in a 5 limb cadaveric study. In measuring the forces distributed across the posterior and anterior facets of the subtalar joint, Dr. Graham concluded that placement of the implant in a hyperpronated foot prevents excessive talar subluxation and assists in proper distribution of the axial loads on the subtalar facet joints. More information on the HyProCure implant can be found here. All availble Subtalar Joint Implants / Arthroereisis can be seen here, at www.FootandAnkleFixation.com

As it is our goal to preserve the unbiased nature of the content on FootandAnkleFixation.com, it is important to acknowledge that Dr. Graham has a financial association with the HyProCure Implant.

New Orthfix Product: Centro Nail

Orthofix is now marketing their latest foot and ankle product, the Centro Nail. This Intramedullary Nail is ideal for Pantalar / Tibiotalocalcaneal Arthrodesis in Charcot breakdown and severe degeneration of the rearfoot.

Currently the Orthofix website has not been updated with content for the Centro Nail and once it is live we will have images and a link available; currently you can check out the specs on the Centro Nail product page on FootandAnkleFixation.com. After seeing this implant up-close, the IM Nail offers surgeons two noticeable advantages. First, the arm to the targeting guide can rotate 360 degrees around the nail, eliminating the need to reposition the nail base. Second, there are adjustable guide holes in the arm of the targeting guide that enables surgeons the ability to place screws without coming into contact with nail. Both of these additions should help to expedite intra-operative techniques.

All current Orthofix foot and ankle products are viewable here.