Ascension Orthopedics, Inc. Implants Additional PyroTITAN(TM) in Australia

AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Ascension Orthopedics, Inc., the world leader in PyroCarbon orthopedic implants, announces the implantation of an additional PyroTITAN Humeral Resurfacing Implant in Brisbane, Australia. The PyroTITAN was implanted last month at the Brisbane Private Hospital.

Phillip Duke, MB.BS, FRACS, FA(ORTH)A, the surgeon who performed the procedure, stated, "The patient was a 68-year-old orthopedic nurse, who was well educated on shoulder arthroplasty options. The PyroTITAN resurfacing implant appealed to the patient as a less invasive device than a standard total shoulder replacement avoiding the need for a stem down the humeral canal and a glenoid replacement. I offered PyroCarbon as an option to this patient as the wear properties against cartilage and bone have shown promising results in hemiarthroplasty. At one week follow-up, the patient was quite pleased with the pain relief."

PyroTITAN Humeral Resurfacing implant offers a conservative, bone-sparing option for patients in need of shoulder joint replacement. The PyroTITAN is available in 12 sizes, which are based on published anthropomorphic data of over 300 human humeri to provide an improved anatomic fit. Cartilage and bone friendly PyroCarbon offers the potential to reduce pain caused by wear of traditional metal implants as well as the chance to extend the longevity of the hemiarthroplasty joint replacement.

"We are pleased to reach this milestone in orthopedics with the first commercially available PyroCarbon implant for the shoulder in the world," commented Guy Mayer, President and CEO of Ascension Orthopedics. "The PyroTITAN resurfacing implant reinforces our commitment to further expand PyroCarbon technology into the shoulder market. The PyroTITAN is the first PyroCarbon component of a complete modular shoulder system which will be launched next month at the 11th International Congress of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery in Edinburgh, Scotland. "

Ascension is the world leader in PyroCarbon arthroplasty with over 35,000 PyroCarbon extremity joints implanted. Other currently marketed devices include PyroCarbon implants for the finger joints and base of the thumb, radial head implants for the elbow, a lunate implant for the wrist, and interpositional implants for the tarsometatarsal joint of the midfoot. Ascension plans to expand its range of shoulder offerings with a modular total shoulder system with a PyroCarbon hemiarthroplasty option and has several other PyroCarbon extremity products at various stages of development.

Ascension Orthopedics was founded in Austin, Texas in 1992. The company's first product was an innovative pyrolytic carbon total joint replacement for the MCP joint of the hand. Its joint replacement product line has since expanded to include implants for the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand, foot and ankle. Ascension's mission is to transform extremities by developing state-of-the-art orthopedic products for the upper and lower limbs to help patients suffering from pain and dysfunction. Ascension Orthopedics sells products in the United States and in more than 23 countries worldwide. For further information, please visit http://www.ascensionortho.com/.

SOURCE Ascension Orthopedics, Inc.