Smart Toe(TM) Memory Implant

Cameron · Jan 15, 2009

Members do not see these Ads. Sign Up.
netizens

Technique appears to work.

New Smart Toe Implant Lets Foot Surgery Patients Go 'Wireless'

MEMPHIS, Tenn., Jan. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- It's no wonder that millions of Americans suffer from some form of foot pain. The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) estimates that by age 50, the majority of people have logged 75,000 miles on their feet. For many, the pain is severe enough to warrant a trip to the podiatrist or foot doctor.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090115/CG59028)

Among the most common foot problems are 'hammertoes:' a bending of the second, third or fourth toe at the middle joint, causing it to appear like an upside-down 'V' when viewed from the side. Hammertoes are caused by a muscular imbalance that does not allow them to work in pairs to straighten the toe - usually the result of ill-fitting shoes that force the toes together and push the smaller toes into a bent position. Over time, the toe muscles shorten and lead to the often painful deformity.

Until now, the primary surgical correction for hammertoes has looked more painful than the problem itself. Traditional surgery to fuse and stabilize the toe bones into their correct position depends on a "K-wire" inserted through the tip of the toe, and down the center of the bones. Once inserted, the wire protrudes from the tip of the toe for four to six weeks during healing. The protruding wire is clumsy as well as painful, plus, the open wound can increase infection risk.

To solve these problems, a new option called the Smart Toe(TM) Memory Implant is now available to surgeons and their patients. Available from MMI-USA, Inc., a manufacturer of innovative orthopedic products for hand and foot surgeons, the implant was created specifically to better treat toe pain and deformities such as hammertoes, and other forms of deviated or crooked toes (such as mallet toes, claw toes, Morton's toe), as well as toe deformities caused by severe arthritis, diabetes, stroke or even heredity. Treatment with the new implant produces the desired bone fusion, without having any wire exposed externally.

The new toe implant gets its 'memory' from a revolutionary alloy called NiTinol, which has unique compressive - or shape memory - properties that are activated by body heat. Inserted after being cooled by the surgical team, the implant expands in width, securing it in place, then gradually shortens in length, creating compression across the joint line. The expansion and shortening processes encourage joint fusion and healing. The implant is also available in a different design that is super-elastic, with a spring-like action that does not require heat or cold to function.

In addition to the material's unique properties, the one-piece design of both types of Smart Toe implant bring advantages. Other implants commonly used to correct hammertoes are two pieces that must be connected during surgery, risking disconnection and rotation afterward. Rotation is also a frequent problem with K-wire stabilization that can result in improper fusion. Because the Smart Toe implant is completely internal, it resists any movement or rotation and can be positioned where needed without disrupting otherwise healthy bone.

Patients See Better Results

Leading experts around the country specializing in foot care have been using the Smart Toe implant with notable success. "I was looking for a better method for fusing the toe joints - one that would allow for stability without the use of external wires," says Stuart Mogul, DPM, FACFAS, of Mogul FootCare (www.mogulcare.com) in New York City. "To date, patient satisfaction has been high."

Another podiatrist, Arush Angirasa, DPM, AACFAS, of The Podiatry Group of South Texas, PA (www.thepodiatrygroup.com) in San Antonio, has seen similar, positive results in his study comparing the Smart Toe implant with K-wire fixation. Currently in progress, the study will follow 30 patients for 56 weeks. "Thus far, the patients who received the Smart Toe implant have been very pleased with the overall result," he notes. "Most people are quite apprehensive about having an external wire protruding from their toe after the surgery, which then has to be removed." Medical results are also positive, he reports: faster joint fusion, fewer complications and less pain after surgery.

Dr. Mogul, who performs much cosmetic surgery, also finds the Smart Toe implant easy to use. "It permits easy and precise placement in the toes, and does not interfere with viable joints," he says. Dr. Angirasa agrees. "I have treated countless hammertoe patients, and this new implant solves the major problems associated with treatment - a lack of true compression in the corrected toe, and the possibility of rotation of the K-wire at the surgical site," he notes.

According to Dr. Mogul, use of the Smart Toe implant is limited to people who are healthy candidates for reconstructive foot surgery, and for those with sufficient bone remaining in the toe in which to implant the device.

The new treatment is already widely used throughout the U.S. and Europe. For more information about the new Smart Toe implant, consult a surgeon and visit www.HammertoeTreatment.com. To find a certified podiatric or orthopedic foot surgeon in your area, please visit the web sites of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (www.acfas.org), or the American Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Society (www.aofas.org).

MMI-USA, Inc. (www.mmi-usa.com) is a leading provider of innovative, cost-effective orthopedic extremity solutions dedicated to enhancing the ability of physicians to deliver improved patient outcomes and quality of life through quality implants, clinical education and superior services. A subsidiary of Memometal Technologies, Inc., headquartered in France, the company's specialization in NiTinol alloy production, together with its innovative implant designs, are highly regarded by surgeons worldwide for superior functionality and results. The company was recently recognized as a Company of the Future by Ernst & Young, France. Contact MMI-USA by telephone at 866.682.7577 or via e mail at ataylor@MMI-USA.com.

(TM) Smart Toe is a trademark of Memometal Technologies, Inc.
Click to expand...

General info at: http://www.hammertoetreatment.com/

What say you?

toeslayer

Sabina · Jan 15, 2009

We have used this implant on numerous patients and have had ZERO problems! Not only does it appear to work, it actually does.

tarik amir · Jan 23, 2009

A $5 k-wire in situ works just fine, with the toe splinted.

NewsBot · Nov 4, 2014

Use of Smart Toe© Implant for Small Toe Arthrodesis; A Smart Concept?
Faiz Khan, Shiori Kimura, Tayyab Ahmad, Darren D'Souza, Lester D'Souza
Foot and Ankle Surgery; Articles in Press

Highlights
•small toe arthrodesis is a common forefoot surgical procedure.
•K-wires can migrate, break and lack compression and control of rotation.
•Smart Toe© is an intramedullary memory monobloc nickel and titanium alloy implant.
•It provided stable fixation with compression, few complications and 96.3% union rate.
•We had good clinical and radiological outcome and patient acceptance.
Click to expand...

Arthrodesis of small joints for hammer and claw toe deformities is a common forefoot operative procedure. Our objective was to review patients who underwent small toe arthrodesis with Smart Toe© intramedullary monobloc implant. Our aim was to assess patient's surgical outcome and to ascertain implant suitability.

This procedure was undertaken in 90 patients from February 2011 to December 2012. We present our review of 82(91.1%) patients who attended the final six month follow up. Mean age was 56.5 years. There were 7(8.5%) males and 75(91.5%) females. Clinical and radiological evaluation was undertaken. A questionnaire was used to assess general symptoms, clinical outlook, deformity and patient's perceptions and acceptance. Foot and Ankle Outcome Score and Foot and Ankle Disability Index were used to judge outcome. There were 71(86.6%) proximal and 11(13.4%) distal interphalangeal joints with 69(84.1%) second, 7(8.5%) third, 6(7.3%) fourth toes. There was persistent swelling in 7(8.5%) and tenderness in 1 (1.2%). Appearance of toes was symmetrical in 71 (86.6%) and 11(13.4%) were asymmetrical but asymptomatic. The mean range of movement of the adjacent joint was 53.9 degrees. Control of toes was good in 72(87.8%) patients. Mean percentage of improvement was 76.1% with 100% in 17(20.7%) and over 80% in 47(57.3%). Seventy (85.3%) would recommend and undergo repeat surgery. There were 2(2.4%) cases of metal cut out. There was one (1.2%) implant failure. Union was achieved in 79 (96.3%) patients. We feel that Smart Toe© small toe arthrodesis is a safe and reliable technique with good patient outcome and acceptance.
Click to expand...

Dieter Fellner · Nov 5, 2014

NewsBot said: ↑

Use of Smart Toe© Implant for Small Toe Arthrodesis; A Smart Concept?
Faiz Khan, Shiori Kimura, Tayyab Ahmad, Darren D'Souza, Lester D'Souza
Foot and Ankle Surgery; Articles in Press
Click to expand...

Would have been more meaningful if this was compared to a control group, i.e. the "gold standard" of percutaneous K-wire fixation.

How much longer before the buoyant 'health care market' will reject expensive implant technology? The acid test, then, is would a patient be prepared to pay the implant cost (whatever that is) or prefer the $5 K-wire alternative.

Smart Toe(TM) Memory Implant

Cameron Well-Known Member

Sabina Welcome New Poster

tarik amir Active Member

NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

Dieter Fellner Well-Known Member

Sensoria Health and DARCO Join Forces to Create Smart Diabetic Footwear

Smartphone based foot scanners

A smart jumpsuit provides information on infants' movement and development

looking for old Smart-V-Link 2.0 software

Smart insole

Detection of Pronation and Supination with Smart Socks

Smartphone controlled toning/unstable shoe

Share This Page

Smart Toe(TM) Memory Implant

Cameron Well-Known Member

Sabina Welcome New Poster

tarik amir Active Member

NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

Dieter Fellner Well-Known Member

Sensoria Health and DARCO Join Forces to Create Smart Diabetic Footwear

Smartphone based foot scanners

A smart jumpsuit provides information on infants' movement and development

looking for old Smart-V-Link 2.0 software

Smart insole

Detection of Pronation and Supination with Smart Socks

Smartphone controlled toning/unstable shoe

Share This Page

Useful Searches