12 December 2007 CARTILAGE PROSTHESIS BRIDGES GAP IN RANGE OF TREATMENT

Hospital Innovations presents Arthrosurface HemiCAP™.

Cartilage lesions may arise after a trauma, but can also result from degenerative cartilage breakdown. This is a phenomenon which can manifest itself at a young age already and which is indicated by developing pain, e.g. when making certain movements. But in 5 years pain every now and again can evolve into constant pain and problematic use of an affected joint. For the age category of the 40 to 65-year-olds - who previously actually fell in between two treatment options - Hospital Innovations is now bringing out the Arthrosurface HemiCAP™ or cartilage prosthesis.

Combating progression
The basic principle in the case of a cartilage lesion is that however small it is, it does not heal of its own accord. If it is not treated, it gets even bigger, with the result that a small lesion can become a serious problem, in which case it is possible that, in the long term, an entire prosthesis may have to be carried out. Therefore, timely diagnosis is absolutely essential.

Research has indicated that patients younger than 40 years show that they respond better to conservative operations such as, for example, the 'micro-fracture' technique, but that will also only eliminate the pain temporarily for between 1 and 3 years because the lesion will continue to grow. On the other hand, in patients older than 65 who are confronted with serious cartilage defects, one usually opts for a total prosthesis of the joint in question.

For patients between 40 and 65 years who suffered a trauma or in whose case traditional treatment failed and who, because of their age, were not considered for a full prosthesis, there was, until recently, no effective - i.e. pain-stilling - alternative. Thanks to the Arthrosurface HemiCAP™ -system this group of patients can once again continue their active lifestyle without any pain.
The cartilage prosthesis - currently already available for the shoulder, knee, hip and big toe - prevents lesion progression after a trauma and considerably slows down that process in the affected cartilage. Not only is the pain eliminated in this way, thanks to a small, minimally invasive operation, but the problem of a complete prosthesis and its accompanying revalidation and regular reviews are postponed. It is important to know that to fit the HemiCAP™-cartilage prosthesis has no negative impact on later replacement by an entire prosthesis. As it happens, there is maximum retention of the joint geometry and of the pressure in the soft tissue. Moreover, the HemiCAP™ is easy to remove again, even after an extended period.

Implant within the context of the anatomy
Irrespective of whether it is a cartilage implant in the shoulder, knee, hip or toe, the Arthrosurface HemiCAP™ resurfacing brings about an effective result through minimally invasive surgical technique without heavy revalidation for the patient. This is because the functional structures around the lesion are maintained. In other words, the implant adjusts itself to the anatomy, and not vice versa.

The system consists of a three-dimensional mapping technology, a set of instruments to perform the mapping and to prepare the joint for the implant, and a high-quality cobalt-chrome and titanium implant, available in different sizes, depending on the size of the defect.

The implant integrates perfectly with the joint by attaching itself to the underlying healthy bone tissue. Because of the exact alignment with the cartilage surface the defect is filled up completely and a new and continuous joint surface is gradually created. The essence of the matter is that, by means of this operation, there is absolutely no damage to the bone structure.

Young, yet reliable
Three years after the implant of the first HemiCAP™ implants, one cannot really speak of long-term results, but patients have already experienced considerable pain reduction, even if one's lifestyle is active and the joint with the cartilage prosthesis is used and often put under strain.
Besides this, an additional, though also important and positive factor, is that high medical costs linked to long after-care and revalidation fall away.

Arthrosurface HemiCAP is unique among ™ cartilage prostheses. Hospital Innovations - a division within the Belgian B&co-groep - is the exclusive distributor of Arthrosurface HemiCAP ™ (VS) for the Benelux.