Extremity Medical Introduces Freedom Lapidus Implants

Extremity Medical has launched Freedom Lapidus, a next-generation system to address hallux valgus deformity.

Many competitive surgical techniques for Lapidus involve the use of a cut guide, which has shown to excessively shorten the 1st TMT, causing the patient to develop transfer metatarsalgia. Transfer metatarsalgia occurs when there is an imbalance of weight distribution throughout the toes, causing mild to severe pain in one or more of the lesser metatarsals. In severe cases, the patient may opt for a revision surgery to remove the implanted hardware.

The Freedom Lapidus system was designed to provide surgeons with an alternative to a cut guide and plate fixation, by allowing surgeons to utilize The Cartilaginator, a joint preparation technology designed to efficiently prepare the first TMT joint while minimizing shortening. The instrument allows the surgeon to resect the cartilage within the joint, while preserving the underlying bone, potentially helping to eliminate the risk of unnecessary first ray shortening. This technique combines the power and efficiency of a sagittal saw with the accuracy and precision of manual instrumentation. The use of the Cartilaginator requires only a minimal incision, which may lead to faster healing and reduced risk of complications.

The Freedom Lapidus system also contains an intuitive Hallux Valgus Correction Clamp, which allows the surgeon to manage the rotational and translational correction of the joint. The radiolucent clamp sits distally from the joint, allowing surgeons unrestricted access for hardware fixation and preventing blockage of the imaging site. These features allow the surgeon to keep the clamp in place and maintain correction while hardware is being implanted and imaging is taken to confirm proper placement.

“We needed to come up with a solution to address Hallux Valgus, that isn’t constrained by a hardware platform to allow the surgeon to decide which implant is most suitable for the patient outcome,” said Ray Penzimer, VP of Product Development at Extremity Medical. Freedom Lapidus gives the surgeon the option to fixate the joint with a wide range of implants offered by Extremity, including multiple types of screws and plates. Of these implants, the IO Freedom fixation system is a zero-profile construct, consisting of a Headed Lag Screw and Freedom X-Post, that can be inserted through a minimal incision approach. The construct provides superior compression and stability compared to an independently placed lag screw, regardless of the patient’s bone quality.

Source: Extremity Medical