Smith & Nephew Endoscopy's New Lateral Hip Distractor Provides Optimal Patient Positioning for Arthroscopic Hip Repair

ANDOVER, Mass., Sept. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Smith & Nephew's Endoscopy Division today announced the launch of its Lateral Hip Positioning System, which enables clinicians to easily test the range of motion of a patient's hip during arthroscopic repair of the pelvic joint.

Smith & Nephew Endoscopy's Lateral Hip Positioning System is designed to position the patient on his or her side. In this position, the force of gravity pulls the surrounding tissue away from the hip joint and enables the surgeon to more easily access the deep recesses of the pelvis.

The universal distractor leg, designed to gently separate the ball of the femur, or thigh bone, from the socket of the hip joint, creates space in which a surgeon can insert specialized arthroscopy instruments to repair injuries caused by overuse or trauma.

"The device's universal distractor leg allows me to easily move the hip joint during surgery, and helps me determine the extent of the pathology and the effectiveness of the repair," said Dr. Thomas Sampson, medical director of the Total Joint Center at Saint Francis Hospital in San Francisco, Calif. "The range of motion test is particularly important during procedures to treat Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), which surgeons worldwide are performing more frequently to alleviate hip pain."

FAI results from friction between the ball of the femur and the socket in the pelvis. Without treatment, FAI could lead to arthritis, and possibly a total hip replacement. The number of FAI procedures will double between 2004 and 2010, according to market research.

The same universal distractor leg can be used with Smith & Nephew's Supine Hip Positioning System, which is used with the patient positioned on his or her back.

Smith & Nephew's Hip Positioning offerings provide an alternative for medical facilities whose surgeons use fracture tables - the type used in hip replacement surgery - during arthroscopic procedures. Fracture tables are large and expensive, and aren't suited to the necessary range-of-motion testing preferred during arthroscopies.

The lateral and supine hip positioners attach to most surgical tables, are easy to assemble and can be a cost-effective option for orthopedic practices and ambulatory surgery centers that perform multiple procedures each day.

"Smith & Nephew's Lateral Hip Positioning System is less complicated to assemble and maneuver," said Mr. Richard Villar, of Wellington Hospital in London, UK, and a pioneer in hip arthroscopy. "Its simplicity enables us to undertake more clinical work in a day, because we spend less time in procedures adjusting the patients' position to permit a thorough examination and successful repair."

The Lateral Hip Positioning System is an important addition to Smith & Nephew's growing hip arthroscopy product line, said Joseph Darling, senior vice president and general manager of Smith & Nephew Endoscopy's Arthroscopic Repair business unit. "As more surgeons are trained to perform hip arthroscopy, it's critical that they have access to a complete line of specialized hip repair devices and positioners."

About Smith & Nephew

Smith & Nephew is a global medical technology business, specializing in Orthopaedic Reconstruction, Orthopaedic Trauma and Clinical Therapies, Endoscopy and Advanced Wound Management products. Smith & Nephew is a global leader in arthroscopy and advanced wound management and is one of the leading global orthopaedics companies. Smith & Nephew is dedicated to helping improve people's lives. The Company prides itself on the strength of its relationships with its surgeons and professional healthcare customers, with whom its name is synonymous with high standards of performance, innovation and trust. The Company has 9,600 employees and operates in 31 countries around the world. Annual sales in 2006 were nearly $2.8 billion.

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Contact: Joe Metzger

Smith & Nephew Endoscopy (978) 749-1330

CONTACT: Joe Metzger of Smith & Nephew Endoscopy, +1-978-749-1330

Web site: http://www.smith-nephew.com/