Quarterly Orthopedic Reconstructive Implant Market Update: Resurfacing Hip Procedures

Millennium Research Group (MRG), the global authority on medical technology market intelligence, reports that in the second quarter of 2006, resurfacing hip implant procedures represented about 0.2% of overall US hip replacement procedures.

Waltham, MA (PRWEB) August 14, 2006 -- Millennium Research Group (MRG), the global authority on medical technology market intelligence, reports that in the second quarter of 2006, resurfacing hip implant procedures represented about 0.2% of overall US hip replacement procedures.

Hip resurfacing surgery can be segmented into two categories: total hip resurfacing and hemi hip resurfacing. The former involves the resurfacing of both the acetabulum and the femoral head. In contrast, hemi hip resurfacing replaces only the femoral component, leaving the acetabulum intact. According to MRG’s Marketrack, total hip resurfacing accounted for the majority of US hip resurfacing procedures in the second quarter of 2006.

Following FDA approval in May 2006, Smith & Nephew’s Birmingham Hip Resurfacing system became the only total hip resurfacing system available for use in the US. “With competitors like Stryker (in collaboration with the Corin Group) and Wright Medical Technology looking to gain approval for their hip resurfacing products, resurfacing procedure penetration trends should prove interesting to track over the next several quarters,” commented Christina Mathew, a Senior Analyst specializing in Orthopedics at MRG.

About Resurfacing Hip Implants
A resurfacing hip implant incorporates an acetabular cup, similar in design to that of a total hip replacement (THR) implant, and a one-piece femoral head, the stem of which is much shorter than a traditional THR femoral stem. As a result, the amount of bone resected for hip resurfacing surgery is much less compared to what is removed in conventional primary hip replacements. The head, or “ball,” portion of resurfacing implants is larger than those of conventional primary hip implants. This larger size results in an increased contact area between the acetabular and femoral components, reducing the chance of implant dislocation.

About Millennium Research Group and Orthopedic Reconstructive Implant Marketrack
Millennium Research Group Inc. (www.MRG.net), a Decision Resources company (www.DecisionResources.com), is a leading provider of strategic information to the health care sector. Focused solely on the medical device, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology industries, the company provides its clients with the benefits of its specialized industry expertise through published reports and customized consulting services.

MRG’s Orthopedic Reconstructive Implant Marketrack project surveys 120 hospitals on a quarterly basis about their use of orthopedic reconstructive hip and knee implants from leading competitors, including Biomet (BMET), DePuy (JNJ), Smith & Nephew (SNN), Stryker (SYK), Wright Medical Technology (WMGI), and Zimmer (ZMH). The survey sample is geographically segmented and comprised of operating rooms and surgery centers that perform reconstructive hip and/or knee implant procedures.

Amy Krohn
Millennium Research Group
416-364-7776 x101

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