ATR product improves clinical outcome in patients with soft tissue defects in foot

Oct 6 2010

“The cases show very good outcome with ATR in improving clinical outcome in different foot applications. The product gives me a very useful clinical option when the patient has poor tissue quality. Consequently, we have incorporated this procedure into our surgical practice in these types of cases.”

Artimplant (STO:ARTIB):

Reported cases, by Dr. Jan Lidström, which involve 20 patients with soft tissue defects in the foot with up to four years follow-up together with a biomechanical study, by Dr. Eric Giza, confirm the positive clinical outcome orthopedic foot surgeons have experienced with Artelon® Tissue Reinforcement (ATR).

The case reports, which involve 20 patients treated for soft tissue defects in the foot with ATR was presented by Dr. Jan Lidström at the 7th SICOT Annual International Conference joint meeting with the Swedish Orthopaedic Association (SOF). ATR was used to reinforce tendon repair constructs with good clinical outcome. The longest follow-up period was four years. No adverse events were noted during the observation period. Dr. Jan Lidström at Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Göteborg comments:

"The cases show very good outcome with ATR in improving clinical outcome in different foot applications. The product gives me a very useful clinical option when the patient has poor tissue quality. Consequently, we have incorporated this procedure into our surgical practice in these types of cases."

The biomechanical study on Achilles ruptures was presented by Assistant Professor Eric Giza at the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society annual summer meeting. The study, performed at U.C. Davis in Sacramento, CA, shows that ATR significantly increase the strength of the Achilles repair construct. Dr. Giza at U.C. Davis says:

"The study results show that by using ATR there is a significant strength increase in the repair construct compared with sutures alone. For reconstructive Achilles surgery I find ATR to have optimal handling characteristics and it is surprisingly easy to suture. There are many different uses of ATR for complex Achilles tendon reconstructions. So far I have done approximately 15 cases with excellent outcome."

Hans Rosén, CEO of Artimplant, comments:

"The positive data confirm our day-to-day clinical experience that ATR is an established solution for orthopedic foot surgeons when there is a need for soft tissue reinforcement. In recent years several studies have been initiated to elucidate and confirm the clinical benefits of ATR. We can expect more results from this ongoing work."