RAYNHAM, MA – December 6, 2011 – DePuy Spine, Inc. today
announced the launch of the EXPEDIUM® Neuromuscular System, a new modular
system of pre-contoured rods and proximal connectors, open and closed iliac
screw designs and wires, designed to help surgeons address spinal and pelvic
deformity in patients with neuromuscular scoliosis.
“Surgery for neuromuscular scoliosis is very challenging in
that most cases require correction of a coronal, sagittal and axial deformity,
including pelvic obliquity. This deformity can occur in patients with little or
no muscle tone or in those with severe muscle tone and spasticity due to
diseases like muscular dystrophy or cerebral palsy,” said Randal R. Betz, MD,*
a pediatric orthopaedic spine surgeon from Philadelphia. “The EXPEDIUM
Neuromuscular System was designed with these patients in mind.”
According to the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS), incidence
of neuromuscular scoliosis ranges from 25 percent in people with cerebral palsy
to 90 percent in people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.(1) Surgery is
performed in these patients to prevent further curve progression, improve
sitting balance and tolerance, reduce pain and improve quality of life.
“The modularity of the EXPEDIUM Neuromuscular System allows
for easy fixation to the pelvis without the need for intra-operative
modification of implants or complex rod bending. It also allows for the
cantilever correction of severe pelvic obliquity and spinal deformity that was
previously corrected with the unit rod,” said Kirk Dabney, MD,**
orthopedic surgeon and associate director of the Cerebral Palsy Program at the
Alfred I. duPont Institute in Wilmington, Delaware.
“We heard from surgeons that treating neuromuscular scoliosis
is a challenging part of their practice and that they needed a system designed
specifically for this type of patient,” said Namal Nawana, Worldwide President,
DePuy Spine. “The EXPEDIUM Neuromuscular System is that system. It provides a
procedural solution that simplifies the correction procedure and optimizes the
time in the operating room.”
The EXPEDIUM Neuromuscular System is the latest addition to
the ever expanding EXPEDIUM portfolio of products for complex spine procedures.
The portfolio features a variety of instruments and implants designed to
enhance speed, security and simplicity in treating a wide range of spinal
deformities.
About DePuy Spine
DePuy Spine, Inc. has worked with leading clinicians, researchers, and thought
leaders to
develop products to treat spine disorders for over 20 years.
It is part of the DePuy Family of Companies within Johnson & Johnson, and
has a rich heritage of pioneering a broad range of products and solutions
across the continuum of orthopaedic and neurological care. These companies are
unified under one vision – Never Stop Moving® – to express their commitment to
bring meaningful innovation, shared knowledge and quality care to patients
throughout the world. Visit www.depuy.com for more information.
*Design consultant to DePuy Spine
**Consultant to DePuy Spine
(1) http://www.srs.org/patient_and_family/scoliosis/neuromuscular_scoliosis/
Posted by Sean Fenske, Editor-in-Chief, MDT
