DJO Global, Inc., a leading provider of medical device solutions for musculoskeletal health, vascular health and pain management, announced that the first TaperFill™ Total Hip Replacement (THR) was implanted. TaperFill was developed to accommodate a minimally invasive procedure.
The TaperFill Hip Stem design incorporates a proven tapered wedge stem philosophy 1, integrating a filling proximal geometry to prevent subsidence, an issue that has deterred surgeons from using certain bone-preserving THRs. The immediate inherent stability created by a metaphyseal fill and biological fixation is intended to allow for solid long-term endurance of the implant. TaperFill is the first DJO product fabricated with the new, proprietary P 2™ porous coating. Its’ pore size variability is similar to lava rock, which has been demonstrated in studies to provide optimal bone ingrowth. 2,3 “Today’s total hip patients have generally been very active and thus have replacement surgery at a younger age than in years past. These younger patients expect to return to an active life following implantation,” said Bryan Monroe, Senior Vice President and General Manager of DJO Surgical. “This evolution in implant design is well suited for a minimally invasive approach by the surgeon to facilitate the patient’s return to normal activity.” While TaperFill has benefits for any chosen surgical approach, the Femoral Stem implant was shortened for improved maneuverability through tissue sparing and bone preserving surgical techniques. DJO is pairing the new TaperFill Hip with a best in class training program for the Direct Anterior Approach (DAA) in THR. This approach has been shown to improve rehabilitation and reduce the risk of dislocation.1,2
Dr. Richard Reitman (Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital, Plano, TX) co-designed and implanted the first TaperFill. Dr. Reitman commented, “The stem’s shortened length and shape allowed it to be inserted with minimal tissue trauma, unlike the other currently available tissue sparing designs. The TaperFill stem engages substantially more proximal bone, which gives me the confidence to allow my patients to immediately bear weight and return to normal activity.” Initial implantations of TaperFill are underway, and commercialization is anticipated by the end of 2013. The TaperFill system complements DJO’s Linear tapered hip system and the P 2 FMP acetabular cups.
1. Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Registry Annual Report, 2012.
2. Beck, J.P. et al. Bone Response to Load Bearing Percutaneous Osseointegrated Implants for Amputees: A Sheep Amputation Model. 56th Annual Meeting of the Orthopaedic Research Society. Poster #2085. March 2010.
