Orthopedics This Week News

Two Patients in One: Working With Pregnant Patients
By Elizabeth Hofheinz (posted December 16, 2008)
It’s an unusual day when a pregnant orthopedic patient shows up in the ER. Critical to a successful outcome is an appropriate treatment algorithm, along with being cared for in a center that has some experience with such cases.

Stem Cells What is the immutable 20-year rule and how does it apply to the commercialization path for the next great biologic technology, stem cells? Find out at the 4th Annual Stem Cell Sumit - February 17, 2009.

FDA Misbehaviors
By Robin Young (posted December 16, 2008)
In a handful of recent cases, the FDA has been downright Kafkaesque. Recently, a small supplier of medical products, Shelhigh, Inc. was brought to its knees by the FDA—but then turned the tables. Find out more here.

"SpinalMotion conducts the first ever artificial lumbar disc-to-disc clinical trial in the U.S. But there's much more to its technology platform. Its Kineflex® technology is bringing new designs for a posterior disc, a shock absorption disc, and a laterally placed lumbar disc. Check out this company in motion."

A Look Back on 2008: A Year of Disrupted Relationships
By Walter Eisner (posted December 16, 2008)
Relationships between physicians and industry were disrupted in 2008, as the government acted to protect the patient/physician relationship. What will this “Era of Disrupted Relationships” mean for physicians, industry, and patients in 2009? Read our take here.

Don’t Dump, Delegate
By Elizabeth Hofheinz (posted December 9, 2008)
Assessing the task at hand and planning for delegation are just two things that make the delegation decision process complex. Done incorrectly, says Dr. Brian Cole, Professor at Rush University Medical Center, and delegation can be construed as “dumping.”

The Cheapest Orthopedic Company Ever
By Robin Young (posted December 9, 2008)
The market for equities has become a flea market, a thrift shop, a place where cheapskate buyers pick through piles of discarded, broken and ignored pieces of companies. Like Osteotech—the cheapest orthopedic company ever.

“Pirates” of the Caribbean Attack Orthofix
By Walter Eisner (posted December 9, 2008)
Caribbean-based Orthofix International is under threat of being boarded by hedge fund pirates who want it to toss Blackstone Medical overboard. Read about this swashbuckling drama here.

Spine Market Share Changes This Year
By Matt Menze (posted December 9, 2008)
Sales reports for the first nine months of this year confirm that, with only two key exceptions, major spine companies are losing share to smaller players. Can they reverse these trends? Or, will the big guys resort to acquisition and consolidation strategies?

Ins and Outs of Outsourcing
By Elizabeth Hofheinz (posted December 2, 2008)
When, how, and why should an OEM select an outsourcer? Kelly Lucenti, President of Millstone Medical Outsourcing, explains which activities are being outsourced and why…and how to choose an outsourcer.

Off-Label Use of InFuse® Bone Graft
By Robin Young (posted December 2, 2008)
InFuse® is used off-label—perfectly legally. Why? It works really well and the FDA screwed up the label. Now that the DOJ is subpoenaing Medtronic over off-label use of Infuse, have two federal agencies screwed up?

Mutiny on the FDA
By Walter Eisner (posted December 2, 2008)
A mutiny on the good ship FDA by scientists is prompting Congress to investigate allegations about the “corruption” of the scientific review process by agency civilians. Read about the high drama here.

Cartilage Repair – Replacing Joint Arthroplasty?
By Scott Ellison (posted December 2, 2008)
The horse-drawn carriage was replaced by the automobile. Could cartilage repair technologies ever make knee replacement/reconstruction obsolete? New technologies make that idea not be so far-fetched.

Orthopedics in China. Wow!
By Robin Young (posted November 17, 2008)
The Chinese Orthopedic Association (COA) is setting its sights on becoming the AAOS of Asia, if not the globe. Thirty thousand members, 7,200 papers and surging patient demand. Who are the leaders? Who are the laggards? Check it out.

Healthcare 2009: A Crisis Is a Terrible Thing to Waste
By Walter Eisner (posted November 17, 2008)
Congress and the president-elect are promising healthcare reform for 2009. No doubt next year will be a big one for the American healthcare system. But, not everyone agrees on the prescription.

What Do the Foot and Ankle Surgeons Have to Say?
By Dev Joshi (posted November 17, 2008)
New survey of 800 foot and ankle surgeons tells PearlDiver which companies are most innovative, most responsive and have the best training programs. Interested? PearlDiver has the data.

Kandahar Days: Orthopedics Under Fire
By Elizabeth Hofheinz (posted November 13, 2008)
“Here’s what to do if captured.” Fortunately, Dr. Michael McKee, from St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, didn’t have to worry about that. He just focused on helping soldiers and civilians in Afghanistan.

Rough Economy, Fewer Ortho Surgeries?
By Robin Young (posted November 11, 2008)
Does 6%, 7%, 8% or 9% unemployment mean a decline in hip, knee or spine surgery? Kristen Stewart, Catherine Hu and Li Cal of Wall Street bank Credit Suisse recently checked and concluded that this recession may well be different from past downturns and undercut demand for orthopedic procedures.

Partnering: How Companies Can Work With a Recruiter
By Elizabeth Hofheinz (posted November 10, 2008)
Cherie Friedman of Friedman Search Group sheds light on the nuances of candidate selection, offer negotiation, and why existing rep-surgeon relationships aren’t necessarily a good thing. Learn the importance of realistic expectations and how to keep candidates engaged throughout the process.

Medtronic Disputes NASS’ Kyphoplasty Letter
By Walter Eisner (posted November 10, 2008)
Medtronic disputes the letter NASS (and four other spine surgeon societies) sent to Medicare. The written language was diplomatic but the body language was not. For the record, Medtronic called NASS’s characterization of kyphoplasty “somewhat out of place.” The controversy grows.