REPIPHYSIS® Expandable Implant In the News
- Surviving bone cancer through advancements in orthopedics
Good Health
October, 2009Summary: This article from October 2009's issue of Good Health, a supplement of the Commercial Appeal, discusses Mr. Michael Neel, orthopaedic surgeon at OrthoMemphis, p.c., and his experience using the REPIPHYSIS® Expandable Implant System and the GUARDIAN® Limb Salvage System. Over the past 10 years, Dr. Neel has been treating children in need of a prosthesis with the REPIPHYSIS® system in order to avoid multiple surgeries or amputation. The article further discusses Dr. Neel's experience implanting the GUARDIAN® system, which is the implant used in place of the REPIPHYSIS® system, once a child has reached skeletal maturity for excellent durability and support during their adult years.
- Innovation's promise
Orthopedic Design & Technology
March/April, 2009Summary: The March/April issue of Orthopedic Design & Technology features Wright Medical and its REPIPHYSIS® Expandable Implant Technology in this feature story on the pediatric orthopedic market. Wright is positioned as one of the few orthopedic manufacturers serving this untapped market. The piece also pinpoints the advantages of the REPIPHYSIS® Expandable Implant Technology over traditional limb salvage techniques. | more
- Cancer fighters
Real Health Magazine
February, 2009Summary: This article, in Real Health Magazine, highlights patients who have survived cancer. The article features 14 year-old Bria Brown, who received the REPIPHYSIS® expandable implant manufactured by Wright Medical. Her mother, Carol Brown, explains how thrilled her family was when they learned this technology would save her daughter's leg from amputation. | more
- Nadia: a story of hope about a little girl from Romania
Roma Bible Union
February, 2008Summary: Nadia, an eleven-year-old Romanian girl, had been diagnosed with bone cancer. Her parents were finding it impossible to get surgery for her. Once a surgeon was found, Wright Medical donated their REPIPHYSIS® expandable implant to allow Nadia the surgery she desperately needed. Nadia's surgery was a huge success. Her leg was saved, her cancer is now gone, and she was able to return to her home and her friends to continue her recovery.
- Pioneering surgery benefits Valley girl; rival firms unite
AZCentral.com
December, 2007Summary: Two competing medical-technology companies came together in the aid of Ainsley Holbura, a nine-year-old California girl. Both were chosen for their leading capability in childhood prosthetics, and were asked to build an adaptor to link their two products. The competitors came through in a big way for Ainsley. Wright Medical's REPIPHYSIS® implant was joined with a compress to allow Ainsley to return to her life as a normal little girl.
- The diagnosis was grim: two athletic young women could lose their legs
Reader's Digest
December, 2007Summary: Emily Land and Ashley Garrett grew up just miles from each other in Collierville, TN. Both led athletic lives that were put on hold when the diagnosis of bone cancer threatened to necessitate the amputation of both their left legs. Now thanks to Wright Medical's REPIPHYSIS® implant, they are both doing well, and have returned the active lifestyles that they loved before they were diagnosed. | more
- 7 year old boy celebrates his independence from osteosarcoma
AZCentral.com
July 1, 2007Summary: At seven years of age, Owen was diagnosed with bone cancer and was told that he would likely have to have an amputation. His mother, however, recommended an implant. Owen's leg was saved by the REPIPHYSIS® expandable implant, and he is returning home to be the grand marshal in his neighborhood 4th of July parade.
- Taking a good look at costs
The Ottawa Citizen
June 26, 2007Summary: Eight-year-old Harley Berube was diagnosed with osteosarcoma. Instead of amputation, Harley received a REPIPHYSIS® expandable implant from Wright. Harley's story illustrates how sometimes the more complicated and initially expensive solution can cost the health care system less in the long run. Growing prosthetics have been available for years, but they sometimes required surgically reopening the leg to make adjustments. The new generation of devices has allowed surgeons to move from "invasive expandables" to "noninvasive expandables."
- Showing growth
NJHerald.com
March 25, 2007Summary: This article covers 10-year-old Meaghan Collins. Meaghan was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer that predominantly affects the growth plates of children's leg bones. She was fitted with the Wright REPIPHYSIS® expandable implant which has reduced the need for constant surgeries down to mere hour-long, noninvasive procedures.
- Femur implant gives cancer patient strong leg to stand on
Greenville Times
November 16, 2006Summary: This article follows 8-year-old Jamacia "Macy" Harley. Macy, diagnosed with osteosarcoma, is the first South Carolina resident, and the 12th nationwide, to have a total femur replacement. The groundbreaking surgery at Greenville Memorial Hospital required Dr. Bryan Moon to remove Macy's cancer-ridden right femur and replace it with a REPIPHYSIS® expandable implant from Wright, thus avoiding the need for amputation.
- Guardian angel - a new medical device offers hope for bone cancer victims
The Memphis Flyer
September 7, 2006Summary: This article follows Emily Land, a soccer player who developed osteosarcoma in her left leg. After finally being diagnosed, she was given the option of amputation. Instead she chose chemotherapy and Wright Medical's GUARDIAN® implant. Emily successfully came out of physical therapy and is now cancer-free and able to lead an active lifestyle again. Emily is now healthy, and an avid mountain biker. | more
- New implant designed for children with bone cancer
NBC4.com
February 24, 2006Summary: This story details 13-year-old Michael Bean and his battle with a bone tumor. Doctors were able to successfully rid Michael of cancer while saving his leg. Doctor Phil Wodajo is an orthopedic oncologist who specializes in bone tumors. Wodajo said that young patients are especially challenging because after replacing a diseased bone with artificial bones and joints, the child's growth would require several new surgeries to lengthen the bone implant. Now, the bone implant can be lengthened without surgery.
- Getting by: high tech prosthesis helps girl cope with bone cancer
Bonner Springs Chieftain
February 2, 2006Summary: This article follows six-year-old Katelynn Drydale's battle against osteogenic sarcoma. In March of 2005, Dr. Howard Rosenthal operated on Katelynn to remove the malignant bone mass and all the tissue it touched. In the same surgery, he implanted Wright's REPIPHYSIS® expandable implant. Rosenthal said without this prosthesis, Katelynn would have had to undergo invasive surgery every six months in order to implant successively larger prostheses to keep up with the growth of her other leg.
- Plastic 'bone' saves leg of child with cancer
FortWayne.com
June 17, 2005Summary: This article focuses on seven-year-old Kelley Thoden who was facing amputation after finding a tumor on her left femur. She kept her health and her leg with the REPIPHYSIS® expandable implant from Wright Medical. After nearly six hours of surgery at Cook Children's Medical Center, Kelley woke up with the plastic bone where her femur once was. Surgery saved her leg; an expandable prosthesis that will grow as she does is expected to spare her numerous surgeries and weeks of rehabilitation throughout her childhood. Cook Children's was the first facility in northern Texas to use the REPIPHYSIS® prosthesis, a titanium and polymer implant that was inserted into Kelley's remaining bone, giving her a leg that moves naturally.
- Device saves child from amputation, more surgery
Star-Telegram
May 20, 2005Summary: This article focuses on seven-year-old Kelley Thoden who was facing amputation after finding a tumor on her left femur. She kept her health and her leg with the REPIPHYSIS® expandable implant from Wright Medical. After nearly six hours of surgery at Cook Children's Medical Center, Kelley woke up with the plastic bone where her femur once was. Surgery saved her leg; an expandable prosthesis that will grow as she does is expected to spare her numerous surgeries and weeks of rehabilitation throughout her childhood. Cook Children's was the first facility in northern Texas to use the REPIPHYSIS® prosthesis, a titanium and polymer implant that was inserted into Kelley's remaining bone, giving her a leg that moves naturally.
