DJO Global: An adaptable surgical arm for total hip arthroplasty.

DJO Global’s Adaptable surgical arm for direct anterior approach total hip arthroplasty. (Image from DJO Global)
DJO Global (Vista, Calif.) introduced its Adaptable surgical arm at AAOS. Billed as the first fully sterile, surgeon-controlled leg and retractor holder designed for a safe direct anterior approach (DAA) total hip arthroplasty (THA), the fully-mechanical, carbon fiber surgical arm is designed to work seamlessly with any standard operating table and may enable having fewer assistants in the operating room, according to the company.
DAA is the fastest growing THA approach, representing approximately 40% of all hips being done in the U.S., according to a 2018 poll of the American Academy of Hip and Knee Surgeons. DJO designed the Adaptable surgical arm as an alternative to large, heavy, costly and difficult-to-store specialty surgical tables introduced in the early 2000s to assist with patient positioning and exposure during the DAA procedure. Those tables also require specially trained personnel to operate them and may not be an option for many hospitals and surgery centers, the company said.
The Adaptable surgical arm weighs about 10 lbs., is less expensive than a specialty table and may be easily transported between hospitals, DJO added. It may be used for retractor placement or leg positioning for femoral exposure, range of movement and leg length assessment.
“The specialty table model for DAA doesn’t align with today’s cost-conscious healthcare environment,” said Dr. Raymond Kim of the Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colo., in a prepared statement from DJO. “Adaptable is a game-changing device for DAA THA. It empowers surgeons to reduce the number of staff intra-operatively and increases the overall OR economy. Its versatility as both a retractor and leg holder, as well as its promise for future indications, are a much needed-innovative and modern solution to patient care.”
Colfax Corporation (NYSE:CFX), completed its $3.15 billion acquisition of San Diego-based DJO Global in February.