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Dr. Richard A. Conn (right) shows Mr. Orville Todd the hip resurfacing tool used in his procedure

With more than 43 million Americans suffering from arthritis, total hip replacement surgery is not an uncommon procedure. Now, an alternative to total hip replacement surgery allows patients to resume many of the activities they enjoyed pre-operatively, while conserving more of their natural bone and helping minimize their risk of dislocation.

In late October, Dr. Richard Conn, an orthopedic surgeon with Southern Bone & Joint Specialists PA, became the first physician in the United States to perform a hip resurfacing procedure with the Cormet Hip Resurfacing System since receiving FDA approval on July 3.

“I think the Cormet Hip Resurfacing system is poised to be a key option for me as a hip surgeon in the treatment of my younger, more active arthritic hip patients,” said Conn.

The Cormet Hip Resurfacing System is offered exclusively in the United States by Stryker Corporation (NYSE: SYK), one of the world’s leading medical technology companies with a great range of orthopedics products.

The system provides patients with two important benefits.

First, patients have more of their natural bone preserved. In this innovative process, the femur is capped with a strong metal covering, much like the capping of a tooth. Because the femoral head is simply reshaped and “resurfaced” rather than removed, the procedure is bone conserving.

Secondly, the large diameter femoral head may reduce the risk of dislocation, and often provides a more natural performance than traditional total hip arthroplasty.

Conn believes the hip system is the right choice for many of his patients.

“With the very large heads of this femoral resurfacing system, it gives you inherent stability and also improves the potential for greater motion and mobility, therefore allowing individuals to be more active and do more things,” explained Conn.

Orville Todd, 60, was the first patient to have the procedure.

“I had hip pain for about five years, and it just kept getting worse,” he said. “Finally it got to the point where I couldn’t stand it anymore. It made my job difficult. The longer the day went, the more I’d hurt.”

Since the surgery, Todd has been re-energized.

“I can do most anything now,” he said, with a grin. “Knowing what I know now, I would’ve gone in for this three years ago. It seems like it’s going to be a long-term solution for me.”

If the implant needs replacing at some point, a conventional total hip replacement can typically be used. This makes hip resurfacing an attractive option for younger and more active osteoarthritis patients.

Interest in hip resurfacing procedures is on the rise around the globe because of the bone-conserving nature of the procedure and anticipated potential benefits related to post-operative activities and range of motion. In these procedures, surgeons replace the hip socket in much the same way as a conventional total hip, but the femoral head is resurfaced rather than removed.

Hip resurfacing is viewed by many surgeons as an alternative to traditional total hip replacement to help patients return to their active lifestyles.

“By selecting the right patient and using the training we’ve received, this procedure will be a successful treatment option for many patients,” said Conn.

After suffering from hip pain for years, Jim Dagg, director of diagnostic services at Wesley Medical Center, made an appointment with Conn and scheduled a hip resurfacing procedure before Thanksgiving.

“I’ve worked in healthcare my entire career,” said Dagg. “I know a great doctor when I see one and I’ve done my homework. Dr. Conn is the only physician I would trust with my hip surgery.”

“Dr. Conn was great,” Todd agreed, “I’d recommend him to anybody.”
Since performing the first procedure with the Cormet Hip Resurfacing System, Conn has used the system on 10 more patients.

“Our patients’ results have been really strong, which makes for very satisfied patients and a very pleased physician,” said Conn, who trained with the surgeons who designed the Cormet Hip Resurfacing System in England. A member of the surgeon-training group for the Cormet Hip, he has trained more than 40 physicians from across the country on how to select the appropriate patient for the procedure and how to perform the procedure.

Ron Seal, CEO for Wesley Medical Center, a 211-bed acute care facility located in Lamar County, said he was proud to add another “first” to the hospital’s lengthy list of services and technologies available for patients.

“Dr. Conn has always been on the cutting edge of new procedures, product development and technologies in the field of orthopedics,” said Seal. “It makes us proud that he is pleased with the service and care we can help him provide to his patients here at Wesley Medical Center.”


December 2007

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