Stryker Launches New Technologies and Celebrates a Major Clinical Milestone at The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Conference

NEW ORLEANS, March 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Stryker Corporation's Orthopaedics division announced today that it will feature two of its latest hip systems at this year's annual American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) conference being held in New Orleans – the Rejuvenate Modular Primary Hip System and the ADM Mobile Bearing Acetabular System with X3. These advancements in hip technology aim to increase implant durability and stability, enhance patient mobility and give surgeons greater choice and efficiency in the operating room.

"Our team continues to partner with surgeons to develop and commercialize cutting-edge technologies and products, such as Rejuvenate and ADM, that aim to enhance patient outcomes and streamline surgeons' operating room efficiency," said Mike Mogul, group president of Stryker Orthopaedics.

A testament to its commitment to technological longevity and clinical results through value-based product offerings, Stryker's Exeter hip stem is celebrating both its 40th anniversary and one millionth manufacturing during 2010. Despite the availability of newer, more expensive hip systems, the UK National Joint Registry confirms that the Exeter hip system is one of the best performing hip systems in the world(1).

This week Stryker is also announcing that its recent FDA-monitored Investigational Device Exemption study found no statistical difference in clinical outcomes(2) between its mobile bearing and traditional fixed bearing knee systems. In contrast, Stryker continues to be very pleased with the success of its fixed bearing Triathlon Knee System with X3 Advanced Bearing Technology, which offers significant advantages over mobile bearing knees on wear rates(3), revision and overall function(4,5).

Expanding its set of solutions for bone fracture, Stryker's Trauma & Extremities business will feature three new plating systems: the VariAx Elbow Locking Plate System, the VariAx Fibula Locking Plate System, and the AxSOS Extremity Plating System, all designed to provide a broader range of options for implant size, fixation, and strength.

The Stryker booth at the AAOS Annual Meeting will also feature the VersiTomic ACL System, using customized instruments and flexible drill technology, designed to allow for more anatomic placement and drilling of tunnels during ACL reconstruction.

Stryker will also host a series of educational events at its exhibit booth during the Annual Meeting, titled "Advances in Joint Care." This series will feature surgeon speakers, recorded surgical cases and hands-on product demonstrations featuring its new technologies, including mobile bearing hips, the Triathlon knee system, Emerging Technologies in Hip Care and the VersiTomic ACL System.

Stryker Clinicians will also be presenting over 350 educational podium presentations, posters, scientific exhibits, instructional courses, and multimedia education events at the AAOS conference this year.

Stryker will be located at Booth 2945 in the Morial Convention Center located at 900 Convention Center Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70130.

(1)  2008 National Joint Registry of England and Wales, p. 82

(2)  Data on file at Stryker Orthopaedics, Investigational Device Exemption IDE#G000180

(3)  RD-09-094

(4)  2009 National Joint Registry of England and Wales, p. 102

(5)  "Mobile-bearing implants more likely to be revised than fixed-bearing knees." Namba, R. 2009 AAOS Annual Meeting ORTHOPEDICS TODAY 2009; 29:13

About Stryker Orthopaedics

Stryker Orthopaedics is a division of the Stryker Corporation, one of the world's leading medical technology companies. Stryker Orthopaedics offers an extensive orthopaedic product portfolio including hip, knee and upper extremity reconstructive devices, bone cement, trauma implants, bone substitutes and spine systems. For more information about Stryker Orthopaedics' products, visit http://www.stryker.com/en-us/products/Orthopaedics/index.htm.

About Stryker Corporation

Stryker Corporation is one of the world's leading medical technology companies with the most broadly based range of products in orthopaedics and a significant presence in other medical specialties. Stryker works with respected medical professionals to help people lead more active and more satisfying lives. The Company's products include implants used in joint replacement, trauma, craniomaxillofacial and spinal surgeries; biologics; surgical, neurologic, ear, nose & throat and interventional pain equipment; and endoscopic, surgical navigation, communications and digital imaging systems; as well as patient handling and emergency medical equipment. For more information about Stryker, please visit the company web site at www.stryker.com.

Note to Editors: For additional information or to schedule a meeting with one of Stryker Orthopaedics spokespeople, contact either Aaron Kwittken at [email protected] or 917-697-0473 or Russell Weigandt at [email protected] or 917-991-7708.

SOURCE Stryker Orthopaedics