Stryker to market Cormet hip-resurfacing system this year

Stryker has announced its intention to market the Cormet hip resurfacing system from Corin during 2007, with plans to make the product available as early as the third quarter of the year.

This decision is based on surgeon education protocol developed by both companies in conjunction with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), following the approval of Cormet by the FDA last week.

The company notes that clinical trial results show the need for surgeons to concentrate on a number of important physiologic and anatomic factors when electing whether or not to use a resurfacing system in patients with hip problems.

Bernard Stulberg, director of the Cleveland Centre for Joint Reconstruction, said: “Hip resurfacing offers the right patient a more conservative, bone-preserving procedure than traditional hip replacement.

“The anatomic nature of these devices enables certain younger, more active patients to get back to the activities that are important to them.”

He added that dialogue between patients and their surgeon is essential to the decision-making process regarding the choice of therapy for damaged hips.

Last month, Stryker announced the completion of a deal to sell its Physiotherapy Associates subsidiary to Water Street Healthcare Partners for approximately $150 million (75 million pounds).