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Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy reduces pain and improves function in knee osteoarthritis patients

The first American study that positions Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy (PRP) as a viable means in managing knee osteoarthritis, appeared today in the December issue of the American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (AJPMR). The study, authored by Dr. Steven Sampson of the Orthohealing Center in Los Angeles, details the account of 14 patients with primary and secondary knee osteoarthritis receiving three platelet-rich plasma injections in the affected knee at 4-week intervals with one year follow up.

20 Nov 2010

Multiple pain locations contribute to greater knee pain

A new study found that patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee who also have pain in other joints were more likely to experience greater knee pain. Specifically, pain in the lower back as well as foot pain and elbow pain on the same side as the affected knee were associated with more severe knee pain. Full details appear in the December issue of Arthritis Care & Research, a journal published by Wiley-Blackwell on behalf of the American College of Rheumatology.

18 Nov 2010

UMass, PolyMedix receive Phase 2 STTR contract to conduct test on antimicrobial compounds

PolyMedix, Inc., an emerging biotechnology company focused on developing new therapeutic drugs to treat infectious diseases and acute cardiovascular disorders, and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst (UMass), have received a Phase 2 Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) contract in the amount of $750,000.

17 Nov 2010

First leg transplant: Spain looking for donors

The Health Minister of Spain Leire Pajin revealed that doctors there are looking for a suitable match from a dead donor to carry out the world’s first leg transplant. The announcement was made at an international conference on organ transplants in Madrid.

16 Nov 2010

BIOTRONIK releases Pulsar-18 stent for treatment of long lesions in superficial femoral, infrapopliteal arteries

BIOTRONIK AG, a European manufacturer of therapy solutions for vascular intervention, has announced the international full market release of the innovative Pulsar-18 stent for treatment of long lesions in the superficial femoral and infrapopliteal arteries. Pulsar-18 is unique in the market, representing an advance in technology that further reinforces the company's position as a leader in providing high quality technologies for patients with peripheral vascular disease.

11 Nov 2010

Covidien analysis finds lower incidence of GI adverse events with topical NSAIDs versus oral

Covidien, a leading global provider of healthcare products, announced the results of an analysis that will be presented at the American College of Rheumatology's Annual Scientific Meeting. A pooled analysis of safety data suggests that patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) receiving the topical PENNSAID® (diclofenac sodium topical solution) 1.5% w/w had significantly fewer gastrointestinal (GI)-related adverse events than those receiving an oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

10 Nov 2010

Ultrasound needle guidance improves performance and outcomes of knee injections

The use of ultrasound needle guidance improves the performance, outcomes and the cost-effectiveness of knee injections in people with osteoarthritis, according to research presented this week at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting in Atlanta.

9 Nov 2010

Patients undergoing THR likely to have serious falls than orthopedic procedure

Patients who undergo total hip replacements are more at risk for having a serious fall while recovering in the hospital than patients undergoing other orthopedic procedures, according to a recent study. The study, which will be presented at the American College of Rheumatology's annual meeting, Nov. 7-11, in Atlanta, also identified other factors involved in patient falls that could help hospitals devise strategies to reduce these accidents.

9 Nov 2010

Special mobility shoes benefit people with osteoarthritis

The use of special mobility shoes can help ease knee pain and slow disease progression in people with osteoarthritis, according to research presented this week at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting in Atlanta.

8 Nov 2010

Study finds vitamin D supplement does not reduce knee osteoarthritis progression

Adding vitamin D as a supplement does not appear to lessen the symptoms, or slow the progression, of knee osteoarthritis, according to research presented this week at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting in Atlanta.

8 Nov 2010

FDA grants Cadence marketing approval for OFIRMEV injection in management of pain and fever

Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted marketing approval for OFIRMEV™ (acetaminophen) injection, the first and only intravenous (IV) formulation of acetaminophen to be approved in the United States. OFIRMEV is indicated for the management of mild to moderate pain, the management of moderate to severe pain with adjunctive opioid analgesics, and the reduction of fever.

3 Nov 2010

Health reform law: Tax credits may boost coverage; rationing still hot word

The number of small businesses offering health insurance to workers is projected to increase sharply this year, recent data show, a shift that researchers attribute to a tax credit in the health law.

3 Nov 2010

Physicians suggest patients who receive MoM hip replacement to pay attention on post-operative pain

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is one of the most successful surgeries of the past several decades. This procedure has relieved pain and restored movement to hundreds of thousands of people. The decision to have hip replacement surgery should be only made after discussion between the patient and his or her orthopaedic surgeon.

30 Oct 2010

Novartis informs Emisphere on First Interpretable Results of two-year Phase III Study 2301 in osteoarthritis

Emisphere Technologies, Inc. announced today that Novartis Pharma AG provided Emisphere with information regarding the First Interpretable Results of the two-year Phase III Study 2301 in osteoarthritis conducted by its license partner Nordic Bioscience with oral calcitonin (SMC021).

25 Oct 2010

American Academy takes measures to attract women to become orthopaedic surgeons

Only 3.9 percent of orthopaedic surgeons and 13.8 percent of orthopaedic residents are women, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. The academy is working to attract more women to the specialty by placing advertisements in medical student publications and sponsoring booths at medical student meetings.

22 Oct 2010

Novartis releases study results on oral calcitonin for treatment of osteoarthritis: Unigene Laboratories

Unigene Laboratories, Inc. announced today that Novartis has released information on the first of two studies on oral calcitonin for the treatment of osteoarthritis conducted by its license partner Nordic Bioscience. The recently completed Study 2301, which assesses the safety and efficacy of oral calcitonin in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis, had three co-primary endpoints.

22 Oct 2010

Hospital mortality rates decline by 7.98% from 2007 to 2009

A new independent study by HealthGrades of patient outcomes at America's hospitals found that patients at 5-star rated hospitals had a 72% lower risk of dying when compared with patients at 1-star-rated hospitals -- an enormous gap that has held steady over the past years even as overall mortality rates have improved.

20 Oct 2010

Studies explore efforts to measure, improve hospitals' surgical outcomes

Hospital Compare, an HHS website that allows patients to compare hospitals online using various indicators of quality, is intended to help them choose better facilities for their medical care. But a new report in the Archives of Surgery says the website doesn't help Medicare beneficiaries in need of certain high-risk surgeries find better facilities.

20 Oct 2010

ReGen takes exception to FDA CDRH's plan to rescind Menaflex knee implant 510(k) clearance

ReGen Biologics Inc. is taking exception to the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health's (CDRH) Thursday announcement of a plan to rescind the 510(k) clearance of the company's Menaflex knee implant.

19 Oct 2010

FDA plans to revoke knee implant approval following intense political pressure for its approval

The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday said it planned to revoke a medical-device company's right to sell a knee implant called Menaflex after an unprecedented yearlong review concluded the agency erred in allowing it on the market

18 Oct 2010