Wright Medical Group Launches Biologic Grafting System For Core Decompression Surgery Of The Hip

Arlington, TN - Wright Medical Group, Inc., a global orthopaedic medical device company, recently announced the commercial release of its innovative new biologic grafting system for use in core decompression surgical procedures. The core decompression surgical procedure is commonly used in treating patients with early stage avascular necrosis (AVN) of the hip. The biologic grafting system combines Wright's new X-REAM Expandable Reamer with a simplified procedure kit that includes Wright's proprietary PRO-DENSE Injectable Graft.

Using Wright's new system, the surgeon first drills a small channel through the neck of the femur to access and "decompress" the necrotic (diseased) bone. The X-REAM device is then inserted into the channel, the tip expanded and rotated, removing the necrotic bone in the process. PRO-DENSE graft is then injected into the surgically created space in order to regenerate healthy bone.

Robert Heck, M.D., an orthopaedic oncologist at the Campbell Clinic in Memphis, Tennessee stated, "Wright's new system is a simple but important advancement to the standard core decompression procedure. Through a minimally invasive approach, I can now debride more of the necrotic bone lesion and fill the surgically created void with the PRO-DENSE graft. In a retrospective study of 35 hips in 24 patients over the past 18 months, the early results are very encouraging."

The new biologic product offering complements Wright's bone-preserving joint replacement options for patients with AVN, namely the CONSERVE Total Hip System available in the U.S. and the CONSERVE Plus Resurfacing Hip System, which is currently available in certain international markets.

The X-REAM / PRO-DENSE Grafting System will be made available to U.S. orthopaedic surgeons immediately, with availability internationally to occur in early 2008. The Company estimates there to be approximately 20,000 surgical interventions due to AVN annually in the U.S., with over 50,000 such interventions performed annually on a worldwide basis.

SOURCE: Wright Medical Group, Inc.