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Older women with significant height loss at increased risk for broken bones and death

Older women who have lost more than two inches in height face an increased risk of breaking bones and dying, according to a new study published in the January issue of the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research and funded by the National Institutes of Health.

11 Jan 2012

Ortho Kinematics' KineGraph Vertebral Motion Analyzer receives FDA 510(k) clearance

Ortho Kinematics‚ a private company focused on revolutionizing spine motion analysis, announced receiving 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the KineGraph VMA (Vertebral Motion Analyzer) system. The KineGraph VMA system is designed to improve a test routinely prescribed by spine surgeons—the flexion/extension x-ray.

11 Jan 2012

Experts want young athletes to become more aware of warning signs of concussion

Concussion in youth sports is a serious issue, as young athletes' brains are more susceptible to injuries. These injuries can become more serious as players suffer repeated incidents. Sports related concussions have generated a significant amount of attention, with numerous well-known school and professional athletes out of the game due to concussion.

10 Jan 2012

Biomet second quarter net sales increase 4% to $725.1 million

Biomet, Inc. announced today financial results for its second fiscal quarter ended November 30, 2011.

10 Jan 2012

Mazor Robotics receives European patent titled, 'Miniature Bone-mounted Surgical Robot'

Mazor Robotics Ltd., a developer of innovative surgical robots and complementary products, today announced that the European Patent Office granted European Patent No. 1414362 entitled "Miniature Bone-mounted Surgical Robot," which covers the Company's flagship product, Renaissance.

7 Jan 2012

SANUWAVE receives U.S. patent titled, 'Device for the Application of Acoustic Shock Waves'

SANUWAVE Health, Inc., an emerging medical technology company focused on the development and commercialization of noninvasive, biological response activating devices in regenerative medicine, today announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued the Company patent number 8,088,073, titled "Device for the Application of Acoustic Shock Waves."

7 Jan 2012

FDA approves TGM's hip and knee systems and related surgical instruments

China Kanghui Holdings, a leading domestic developer, manufacturer and marketer of orthopedic implants in China, today announced that the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, TGM Medical, Inc., has received approvals from the Food and Drug Administration of the United States for its Helicon Hip System ("HHS"), Milestone Knee System ("MKS") and related surgical instruments.

6 Jan 2012

Married patients benefit from herniated spinal disc surgery

Some patient subgroups see greater improvement after surgery for herniated spinal discs relative to nonoperative outcomes—notably including married patients whose symptoms are getting worse, reports a study in the January 15, 2012, issue of Spine.

5 Jan 2012

FDA issues PMA response letter to BioMimetic's Augment Bone Graft

BioMimetic Therapeutics, Inc. announced today that it received a comprehensive post-panel response letter from the FDA related to the Company's Pre-Market Approval (PMA) application for Augment Bone Graft for use as an alternative to autograft in hindfoot and ankle fusion procedures.

4 Jan 2012

Aging suit from MIT to raise empathy for the elderly

A team of researchers in MIT's Agelab have created a suit to help people understand what it might be like to be in the shoes of an elderly person – literally. Called AGNES (Age Gain Now Empathy System), the suit replicates what it might be like to be in a 75-year-old body, replicating dexterity, flexibility, motor, and visual elements into a suit that can be worn by people of all ages.

3 Jan 2012

Philadelphia physician wins 2011 Patients' Choice Award

A select few physicians were honored with the prestigious 2011 Patients' Choice Award, and this year they include Dr. Bruce H Levin.

26 Dec 2011

Study identifies six risk factors associated with blindness after spine surgery

A study published in the January 2012 issue of Anesthesiology identified six risk factors associated with blindness or partial blindness that can occur after major spine surgery: 1) male sex, 2) obesity, 3) use of a surgical frame that places the head lower than the heart, 4) length of the surgery, 5) amount of blood loss and 6) use of certain fluids that replace lost blood.

22 Dec 2011

Regional variations persist in cervical spine surgery

If you're having surgery for degenerative disc disease of the cervical (upper) spine, the technique your surgeon uses may depend on what part of the country you live in, suggests a study in the January issue of Spine.

21 Dec 2011

Researchers discover how spinning microparticles can direct neuron growth

Researchers at UC Irvine and The University of Texas at Arlington have discovered how spinning microparticles can direct the growth of nerve fiber, a discovery that could allow for directed growth of neuronal networks on a chip and improve methods for treating spinal or brain injuries.

21 Dec 2011

Mazor Robotics announces purchase agreement with NSH Michigan

Mazor Robotics Ltd, the leader in innovative surgical robots and complementary products for spine surgery, announced a purchase agreement with NSH Michigan, Inc.

21 Dec 2011

Early management of whiplash injuries may reduce chronic neck pain and disability

New approaches to early management of whiplash injuries are needed to reduce the high percentage of patients who go on to develop chronic neck pain and disability, according to a special article in Spine.

20 Dec 2011

Osteologix declares dividend of Euro 0.06 per share

Osteologix Holdings, PLC declared a dividend of Euro 0.06 per sharepayable to shareholders of record on December 19, 2011. The payment date will be February 15, 2012.

20 Dec 2011

Exactech commences clinical trial to evaluate new cartilage repair technology

Exactech, Inc., a developer and producer of bone and joint restoration products for hip, knee, shoulder, spine and biologic materials announced today it has initiated a prospective, randomized, multi-center, clinical trial to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a new cartilage repair technology.

19 Dec 2011

OA patients benefit from walking skills training following total hip arthroplasty

Researchers in Norway report that patients who receive walking skills training following total hip arthroplasty for osteoarthritis show improved physical function. The physical therapy program displayed a positive effect on walking distance and stair climbing which continued 12 months following hip replacement surgery.

15 Dec 2011

Indiscriminate expensive imaging has little clinical benefit in patients requiring epidural steroid injections

Johns Hopkins-led research suggests that routine MRI imaging does nothing to improve the treatment of patients who need injections of steroids into their spinal columns to relieve pain. Moreover, MRI plays only a small role in a doctor's decision to give these epidural steroid injections (ESIs), the most common procedure performed at pain clinics in the United States.

14 Dec 2011