ZURICH & AUSTIN, April 4--PRNewswire-AsiaNet
UniSpacer(TM) Knee System Offers a Treatment Alternative to Those With Early Osteoarthritis
A promising new treatment for people suffering from early-stage osteoarthritis of the knee is now available in the United States. The UniSpacer(TM) Knee System, manufactured by Sulzer Orthopedics Inc., a subsidiary of Sulzer Medica Ltd., is a timely solution for those finding themselves slowed down by arthritis.
The UniSpacer is a small, minimally invasive device made of cobalt chrome that fits between the natural bone structures of the knee and stays in place without bone cement or screws. It is geometrically designed to center itself and follow the normal motion of each individual's knee. It allows the surgeon to preserve the patient's bone by replacing only the damaged cartilage and addressing alignment. Because the UniSpacer does not require fixation or bone cuts, it does not compromise future conversion to total knee replacement.
"This is an exciting time in the area of joint restoration," said Richard Hallock, M.D., design surgeon of the UniSpacer. "With this new procedure, we may be able to extend a patient's active lifestyle by delaying traditional knee replacement and retaining the natural anatomy."
Traditionally, the primary long-term solution for patients with severe knee pain was knee replacement surgery, in which the surgeon replaces the damaged knee with an artificial implant. Surgeons are generally reluctant to perform replacement surgery on younger, more active patients because of the irreversible removal of bone required. Until now, the most prevalent options for delaying partial or total knee replacement were short-term arthroscopic procedures or dependence on pain medications.
John Rochat, a 46-year-old police chief from Millersville, Pa., is one of more than 300 people to have received a UniSpacer in the U.S. A former college football and track athlete, Rochat began developing pain in both of his knees at age 30. Told by his doctors that he was too young for total knee replacement surgery, he suffered through numerous arthroscopic surgeries, cortisone shots and various medications for 14 years. Today, he has UniSpacer implants in both knees. "I have my life back," Rochat said, "I only wish they had the UniSpacer as a remedy 15 years ago, because I lost 15 years of my life."
The procedure requires only minimal surgical intervention and is performed under general or regional anesthesia and generally takes about one hour. Most patients are able to return to normal activities within a few months.
"As an alternative treatment of early arthritis of the knee, the UniSpacer opens a whole new horizon," said Marc Hungerford, M.D., acting chief for the Division of Arthritis Surgery at Good Samaritan Hospital, Baltimore, Md. "Until we get to the point where we can actually restore articular cartilage, it's good to have different treatment options that can be matched more specifically to the individual patient."
The UniSpacer was cleared for use in the United States in January 2001 and is available only through specially trained surgeons. More information about the UniSpacer, as well as a surgeon locator, can be found at www.unispacer.com or by calling toll-free 88U-SPACERS.
Sulzer Medica's subsidiaries develop, produce, and distribute medical implants and biological materials for cardiovascular and orthopedic markets worldwide. Their product array includes artificial joints, vertebral implants, dental implants, trauma products, heart valves, synthetic blood vessels and stents for vascular and non-vascular obstructions. (Swiss Stock Market symbol: SMEN, New York Stock Exchange symbol: SM).
THE SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT UNDER THE U.S. PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT 1995
This report contains forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, projections of future performance of materials and products and financial condition containing risks and uncertainties. These statements are subject to change based on known risks detailed from time to time in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings and other known and unknown risks and various other factors which could cause the actual results or performance to differ materially from the statements made herein.
SOURCE: Sulzer Medica Ltd.
CONTACT: Beatrice Tschanz, Corp. Communications, +41-0-1-308-38-66, Fax, +41-0-1-308-35-06, [email protected], or Anja Stubenrauch, Investor Relations, +41-0-1-308-38-64, [email protected], both of Sulzer Medica.
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Web site: http://www.unispacer.com
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