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Growing Data: Fosamax is Safe

May 10, 2011

Analysis of:Rare Fractures Tied to Drug | online.wsj.com

There is a growing body of data indicating that, though some patients experience these rare atypical femur fractures, bisphosphonates like fosamax are safe and effective drugs. This is not a VIOXX phenomenon.

JNJ and Synthes? Won't happen.

April 16, 2011

Analysis of:J&J in talks to buy Swiss firm for $20 bln: report | www.marketwatch.com

Wall Journal is reporting that Johnson and Johnson is in talks to buy Synthes, a maker of orthopaedic trauma devices and spine implants. It won't happen because it has no business advantage and Synthes has nothing to gain.

An also-ran in a crowded market

May 21, 2007

Analysis of:Zimmer Holdings and Regeneration Technologies Enter Distribution Agreement for New Allograft Paste Implant | www.pr-inside.com

Because bone void fillers are approved as devices, not drugs, they do not need to demonstrate efficacy, just safety. Orthopaedic surgeons are looking past bone void fillers to products that are more biologically active.

Limited victory for SNN

February 9, 2007

Analysis of:Smith & Nephew says court upholds injunction against Synthes | today.reuters.com

- Smith and Nephew's patent on intramedullary hip screws was upheld.

- However, it is difficult to enforce and Synthes has not taken any products off of the market.

Hip resurfacing is small potatoes

February 9, 2007

Analysis of:Doctors Sell Hip Resurfacing to Boomers | www.nytimes.com

This article speculates that hip resurfacing will increase in popularity. Because traditional total hip arthroplasty is predictable, reliable, and safe, hip resurfacing will not capture more than 4-5% of the THA market.

Resurfacing expands market of joint replacement, slightly

January 22, 2007

Analysis of:More surgeons turning to resurfacing for DJD in baby boomers' hips and shoulders | www.orthosupersite.com

-Resurfacing is not new and will result in modest inroads into the market.

-The HemiCAP from Arthrosurface expands surgical options in osteonecrosis of the shoulder and hip.

CMS is unlikely to change the face of spine surgery

November 27, 2006

Analysis of:Is CMS Setting the Stage to Deny Coverage for Spine Fusion | www.ryortho.com

The study groups will only find that more data are needed, and a change in Medicare coverage will not change practice.

Pay for Performance is coming. Count on it.

November 27, 2006

Analysis of:Pay-for-Performance Plans Now Common Among HMOs | www.nlm.nih.gov