|
|
Issue Date: December 8, 2021 |
|
FAN is BACK.
To kick off our return, we are proud to announce the launch of the prestigious, First Annual: GOLDEN SAWBONE AWARDS
|
|
Not to be confused with the Roger Mann Award or Michael Scott's Dundies, for all of you Office FAN’s. The Golden Saw Bone Awards are given to the companies, products, people, media, and innovations that defined the happenings of the year in Foot and Ankle 2021.
Over the month of December we will be laying out the nominees for the coveted Golden Saw Bone Awards in a variety of categories. The format will be simple. Will we announce the nominees, give our take, and the following week announce the winner.
To make it a little more interesting, we have added a voting metric to take the pulse of the industry to help determine the winners in each category, so please vote early and please feel free to share the newsletter with your colleagues.
Strap in for an exciting month of news and awards that will carry our momentum into the New Year.
Without further ado, lets get into the first 2 awards...
|
|
Acquisition of the Year Award
Nominees:
|
|
Arthrex, the leader in sports medicine and a growth monster in the foot and ankle space added an entirely new division in 2021 with the purchase of AOS. While the overall investment from a monetary perspective may be much less than some others in this category, the overall growth impact could be the biggest move that Reinhold and the boys down in Naples have made to date.
AOS is entirely focused on the orthopedic trauma industry. We base our success by relying on the expertise of the surgeon in developing new products and instruments for minimally invasive, precise, and reproducible surgical procedures.
This mantra found on the AOS "About Us" page, culturally and philosophically really fits in with the Arthrex way. Arthrex is in a unique spot. They are the leaders in sports medicine, they have become one of the market leader in Foot and Ankle, however there is a little bit of vulnerability to the Arthroplasty giants with “complete” orthopedic divisions.
This acquisition is a long term play. Instantly being able to enter the trauma space allows them to potentially remain players where large IDN’s are looking to limit vendors. Everyone knows the Arthrex tightrope, but few realize the strength of ankle fracture sales that have grown alongside their syndesmosis business. Developing a trauma sales force will take time, but knowing they have the products to get in the game makes it something to watch as time moves on.
Key Product Additions:
|
|
DJO – Medshape, STAR Ankle Replacement, Trilliant
DJO instantly became a player in the foot and ankle space in 2021 through strategic product and talent acquisitions.
Trillant provided DJO a base of plate and screw options to tackle the majority of foot and ankle indications. Nothing fancy, but all the required bells and whistles needed, one being their 60 degree poly-axial locking technology. In addition, Trilliant manufactures their plating in the US, giving DJO an effective means to control their inventory moving forward.
Medshape was the target of many of the big players in the foot and ankle space. DJO outbid them all and landed a difference making technology in the DYNANAIL line. Product approvals for 'me too' companies are often a massive barrier to entry. Having dynamic nitinol products that are unique, will help with the VAT process and command premium pricing which helps to attract quality distribution partners.
Key Product Additions:
While the STAR may be considered an outdated implant by some, the mobile bearing prothesis has the literature and a base of loyal users that will keep it alive. Adding this implant provides a soft entry into this suddenly crowded market. More importantly, it brought with it some talented individuals from Stryker that will help to shape the engineering and sales team moving forward.
DJO has added a lot in a short period of time. They also have its market leading bracing presence that could allow for a continuum of care that no other company in this space can offer. Their distributor network will shake out, but it will not be an overnight change. Expect DJO to make a serious push for market share moving forward.
|
|
Paragon 28 – Additive Orthopedics
Paragon added a 'plug and play' Custom Orthopedic company that plays well with their mission of "exclusively foot and ankle". Paragon acquired the market leader in the 3D foot and ankle space. Additive carved out a niche that was able to make waves amongst the innovators within the Foot and Ankle community.
It will be interesting to see how Paragon will utilize this technology going forward as all of orthopedics is moving towards patient specific. As a rogue independent, Additive worked, will Paragon be able to pull it off? Based on their track record, we expect they will capitalize on this move, and we are anxiously awaiting what comes next.
Key Product Additions:
- Total Talus
- Death Star Revision Cages
|
|
Stryker – Wright Medical
Even though this deal was announced in 2020 and ultimately closed last November, the result of this acquisition played out this year. Stryker’s management team is known for big move acquisitions, and the Wright Medical acquisition was its largest to date as a company.
In the lower extremity portion of the deal, Stryker acquired the “Leader in Foot and Ankle” which included a huge haul of long-time foot and ankle lifers including: the Leadership Team, Sales Reps, Marketing Team, and Engineers. The product portfolio offers some game changers as well some overlap in core products. It will be interesting to see which product lines make the cut long term and how this massive product catalog will affect their ability to innovate moving forward.
The integration of these two massive teams has probably gone as well as expected. The herd has been thinned some through personal departures and the fallout is probably not yet complete. One thing is certain – Stryker is a force in foot and ankle and their spot as the market share leader is theirs to lose. Only time will tell.
Key Product Additions:
|
|
|
Who should in the FAN Acquisition Award?
|
|
DJO (Medshape, Star, Trilliant)
|
|
|
|
|
Paragon 28 (Additive Orthopedics)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Next award....
New Product Launch - Hardware
Nominees:
|
|
Arthrex added a niche addition to their ankle fusion plating line with a niche. The Pilon Fusion plating system adds to the following procedures:
- Distal tibia fractures that require fracture reduction and primary ankle arthrodesis
- Primary ankle fusions that necessitate additional screw options or plate lengths
- Revision ankle arthrodesis for failed primary fusions, hindfoot nails, or total ankle replacement
The last bullet seems to offer the most potential uses for this system. Using these plates in conjunction with a custom cage for failed TAR seems like a useful construct.
|
|
DJO jumps right into the game with a new twist for subtalar fusion by creating a screw-in nail device. The HYBRID FUSION SYSTEM offers active compression through an internal, preloaded nitinol compression mechanism. The subtalar nail offers rotational stability with a cross screw in the calcaneous.
- Internal NiTiNOL element offers between 2 - 5 mm of active compression, PLUS manual intraoperative compression.
- Proximal talar threads allow for easy insertion, similar to a screw.
- Distal transverse screw provides additional stability and prevents device migration.
- Offered in 60 – 100 mm lengths (in increments of 10 mm) to complement diverse patient anatomies.
There are other midfoot nails on the market that have been used by some cowboys for subtalar fusions, however DJO offers a product that was designed for the indication with proper thread length and appropriate implant lengths to accommodate any patient. Not bad!
|
|
Medline continues to fill out their bag with a new wide-bridge staple. The product will allow their distribution partners to better compete with the various other staple products available. Offering a wide bridge product will provide additional stability where some staples have failed in the recent past.
REFLEX™ Nitinol staples feature an ultra low profile, wide bridge design to enhance stability while helping to minimize soft tissue irritation. The staples are designed with a slightly curved bridge to provide even compression across the osteotomy or fusion site, while the reinforced shoulders help to improve strength in the highest strain area of the implant.
Let’s face it, a nitinol staple is not game changing, but Medline did pump up their offering with a nice value-add: the MINI staple system includes a stepped saw blade allowing for a single pass for more reproducible closing wedge osteotomies for Akins.
|
|
Nova Step, who has become a leader in the MIS space, launches a wrinkle in the cannulated screw game with their titanium core, PEEK overlay screw system.
The radiotranslucent properties of the Creed Cannulated Screws provide a significant clinical advantage over traditional metal implants by drastically improving the visualization of bones and joint spaces. Surgeons can better assess post-operative healing by “seeing through” the implant and down to the bony structures on radiographs.
This technology will pave the way for future product launches involving the PEEK and titanium combo. In addition, the unique nature of the product versus their metallic counterparts will potentially help them with the approval process.
|
|
Like Nova Step, Ossio is paving the way for a product platform based on material technology. Their 4.0 compression screws make sense for a variety of indications, making hardware removal a thing of the past. Touting itself as the “all natural bunion,” the screws can be used for both tradition and MIS bunion procedures. Allowing for joint visualization during the healing phase is another bonus.
-
Comprised of OSSIOfiber® Intelligent Bone Regeneration Technology
- Superior to conventional metal compression screws in compression and pull-out resistance and equivalent in shear and flexural stability in an osteotomy construct. Gradual load sharing minimizes stress risers and promotes return to function
- Up to 5X increased surface area available for bone integration may contribute to a more stable construct
- Artifact free on CT, X-Ray. MRI safe
Ossiofiber is screaming to be made into a soft tissue line that can play in the same space as the Arthrex Bio Composite’s, maybe they take it a step further by possibly enter the plating world?
|
|
Paragon strikes again by adding to their already robust ankle fusion system with plates designed to complement their Phantom TTC Fusion Nail (STRADDLE) and Custom Cages (SPAN).
Mark Myerson, MD, a Silverback™ designing surgeon, said, "The Silverback™ Span Plates for an anterior or posterior approach to a complex ankle and hindfoot arthrodesis with bone loss really "bridge the gap". These spanning plates have been designed to be used with structural allografts or cages where intramedullary fixation or a standard plate and screw construct is not feasible. These are unique, anatomic plates for all types of deformities associated with bone loss and allow for tremendous, stable fixation in conjunction with crossing tibiocalcaneal screws."
Having 52 ankle fusion plate options with 5 different screw sizes could be described as a shit load! With the growing TAR market and the potential onset of complex revision cases mounting, Paragon is setting itself up nicely by offering more options than anyone else in the space.
|
|
|
Who should in the FAN Hardware Award?
|
|
Arthrex (Primary Pilon Fusion System)
|
|
|
|
|
DJO (Dynanail Hybrid Fusion System)
|
|
|
|
|
Medline (Relex Nitinol Staples)
|
|
|
|
|
Nova Step (Creed Ortholucent Screws)
|
|
|
|
|
Ossio (Ossio Fiber 4.0 Compression Screws)
|
|
|
|
|
Paragon 28 (Silverback Straddle and SPAN Fusion Plates)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We're back with your upcoming educational opportunities...
Industry Webinars
|
|
Smith and Nephew
Wednesday, December 8 | 7pm EST
PRIMARY AND REVISION TAR with CADENCE FLAT CUT
Hosted by Selene Parekh, MD and David Pedowitz, MD
|
|
European Foot and Ankle Society
Thursday, December 9 | 10am EST
Ankle Arthritis Treatment Options: Long Term Results and EBM
|
|
Becker’s Healthcare
Thursday, December 9 | 1:30pm EST
Annual Review of Healthcare in 2021 and What’s Anticipated in 2022
Presenter: Scott Becker
|
|
Paragon 28
Thursday, December 9 | 2pm EST
Advancements in Total Talus Technology
Hosted by Dr. Selene Parekh, MD
|
|
Global MIS Conference
Friday December 10 - 11 | Start time – 4am EST (24 hour live run time)
CHAIRS: Dr. Joel Vernois, London (UK), Prof. Hazibullah Waizy, Hannover (GER)
|
|
OACS – Osteoarthritis Clinical Studies
Friday December 10 | 12PM EST
Osteoarthritis Clinical Studies – Feet + Ankles
Chairs: Charlie Saltzman, MD, Thomas Clanton, MD
Speakers: Dr. Dennis Janisse, C.Ped (National Pedorthic Services), Dr. Ned Amendola, MD (Duke University), Dr. Tyler Gonzalez, MD/MBA (University of South Carolina), Dr. Alexej Barg, MD (University of Utah), and Dr. Judy Baumhauer, MD (University of Rochester)
|
|
Monday, December 13 | 8pm EST
Soft Tissue Reconstruction for The Ankle: The Science of Stability
Hosted by Greg Berlet, MD
|
|
Medartis – FPMA Webinar
Thursday December 16 | 7PM EST
Tendon Transfer Fixation: The Belt and Suspenders Technique.
Presenters: James Cottom, DPM, Joseph Wolf, DPM
|
|
ASPS
Thursday December 16 | 8pm EST
Advancements in Bone Grafting for Foot and Ankle Surgery
Prfesenter: James Cottom, DPM
|
|
Kerecis
Thursday December 16 | 9PM EST
Reinforcement of high risk surgical incisions and over tendon repair.
Presenters: Patrick McEneaney DPM, Pete Lovato, DPM
|
|
PodiatryMeetings.com Calendar
Looking for a meeting?
This resource has an extensive amount of information for meeting opportunities where you can earn your required continuing education credits.
Click below to access the extensive meeting calendar.
|
|
Share this Newsletter with Your Colleagues! |
|
Forward to a friend or use the social shares below. They can also use the button provided to sign up to receive newsletters just like you! |
|
About Foot and Ankle News & Contact Information
Foot and Ankle News is curated roundup of the most impactful news for Foot and Ankle Doctors, Rep’s, and Exec’s delivered weekly directly to your inbox.
- Breaking News
- Device Technology
- Journal Reviews
- Upcoming Events
- Practice Advice
All of our posts from our weekly email newsletter can be found at www.footandanklenews.com. Our newsletter goes out to over 12,000 foot and ankle surgeons and industry professionals across the country. The articles are created by a group of volunteers and freelance industry insiders. If you you would like to contact us or have an article or topic you would like to share, please submit it to: footandanklenews@gmail.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
