PyroTITAN Humeral Resurfacing shoulder implant extends longevity of hemiarthroplasty joint replacement

Aug 13 2010

Ascension Orthopedics, Inc., the world leader in PyroCarbon orthopedic implants, announces the implantation of an additional PyroTITAN™ Humeral Resurfacing Implant in Brisbane, Australia. The PyroTITAN was implanted last month at the Brisbane Private Hospital.

Phillip Duke, MB.BS, FRACS, FA(ORTH)A, the surgeon who performed the procedure, stated, "The patient was a 68-year-old orthopedic nurse, who was well educated on shoulder arthroplasty options. The PyroTITAN resurfacing implant appealed to the patient as a less invasive device than a standard total shoulder replacement – avoiding the need for a stem down the humeral canal and a glenoid replacement. I offered PyroCarbon as an option to this patient as the wear properties against cartilage and bone have shown promising results in hemiarthroplasty. At one week follow-up, the patient was quite pleased with the pain relief."

PyroTITAN Humeral Resurfacing implant offers a conservative, bone-sparing option for patients in need of shoulder joint replacement. The PyroTITAN is available in 12 sizes, which are based on published anthropomorphic data of over 300 human humeri to provide an improved anatomic fit. Cartilage and bone friendly PyroCarbon offers the potential to reduce pain caused by wear of traditional metal implants as well as the chance to extend the longevity of the hemiarthroplasty joint replacement.

"We are pleased to reach this milestone in orthopedics with the first commercially available PyroCarbon implant for the shoulder in the world," commented Guy Mayer, President and CEO of Ascension Orthopedics. "The PyroTITAN resurfacing implant reinforces our commitment to further expand PyroCarbon technology into the shoulder market. The PyroTITAN is the first PyroCarbon component of a complete modular shoulder system which will be launched next month at the 11th International Congress of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery in Edinburgh, Scotland. "