Tornier announces preliminary clinical results for pyrocarbon shoulder prosthesis

Tornier, Inc., announced in a press release the successful early clinical results of the first seven pyrocarbon shoulder prostheses that were implanted between April 2009 and December 2009.

Shoulder specialist Gilles Walch, MD, director of Centre Orthopedique Santy, in Lyon France commented in the release, “I am very encouraged by the early results of our series of seven patients treated with the Tornier pyrocarbon shoulder prosthesis for degenerative or post-traumatic glenohumeral joint disease. Our longest patient is now 17 months postsurgery and our average period of follow-up is 12 Months [9-17 months]. The MRI images demonstrate that there has been no deterioration of the space between the humeral head and glenoid and the glenoid cartilage facing the pyrocarbon implant has remained healthy. Most importantly, our patients have been very satisfied, they are pain-free, and their range of motion is excellent. We will continue to follow our patients to ensure that the long term results will confirm these promising early clinical results.”

Doug Kohrs, president and CEO of Tornier, added, “Tornier has a long history of delivering innovation to orthopedic surgeons and their patients. We are excited to be the first company to report on a series of patients treated with pyrocarbon shoulder devices. We believe that the unique, bio-friendly wear characteristics associated with a pyrocarbon shoulder prostheses will result in significantly less stress on cartilage, ultimately improving longevity and providing a valuable treatment option for younger patients with a variety of shoulder joint problems.”

Extremity orthopedic implants based on Tornier’s pyrocarbon technology have more than 10 years of clinical experience. Currently marketed devices include carpometacarpal implants for the base of the thumb, radial head implants for the elbow, and several interpositional implants for the wrist. Tornier has several other pyrocarbon-based extremity products at various stages of development, including the pyrocarbon shoulder prosthesis which received a European CE Mark in March 2009, the company reported.