Privately Held Company Engineers Product
Small Bone Innovations, Inc. (SBi), a privately held orthopedics company focused on arthroplasty and joint-related trauma technologies and treatments for the small bones and joints, reported that the Kansas Dept. of Labor’s Division for Workers Compensation (DWC) recently adopted guidelines specifying the use of SBi’s STAR total ankle replacement implant when meeting certain patient guidelines. It is the only total ankle system being recommended by the Division based upon its adopted medical treatment guidelines.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for 2010, there were approximately 300 reported cases in Kansas of foot and ankle disability claims among private sector employees.
The STAR ankle is reportedly the only total ankle replacement system approved through the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Premarket Approval (PMA) process.
Greater Clinical Success, Shorter Operating Time
In the PMA process, the STAR ankle’s safety and effectiveness was compared with ankle fusion in a multi-center, multi-year, Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) study. The IDE study results, published in 2009, reportedly demonstrated STAR to be superior in efficacy and comparable in safety to fusion. The IDE and other subsequent studies reportedly show that the STAR ankle has better pain relief, greater clinical success, less blood loss and a shorter operating time than fusion.
Michael Simpson, president & CEO of SBi, noted “Nationwide, patients suffering from acute arthritis are demanding the preservation of joint function and anatomical motion in addition to pain relief. As occurred with hips and knees more than a decade ago, ankle replacement is quickly becoming the future for baby boomers who want to maintain an active lifestyle.
Mainstream Product Covered by Medicare
“The fact that the STAR has become a mainstream treatment covered by Medicare and major private insurers is a huge step, literally, in the direction of fulfilling patient demand,” he added.
Anthony Viscogliosi, founder & executive chairman of SBi added “Kansas joins Texas as one of the first states to adopt the latest disability management guidelines for workers compensation programs that specify the STAR ankle as the only suitable ankle replacement solution.
“As a result, we are raising the level and content of communications with patients and their primary care physicians in these states to enhance knowledge and understanding of the STAR ankle’s benefits.”
According to SBi, leading foot and ankle surgeons in Kansas have already been trained and certified in the STAR procedure and are performing total ankle arthroplasty procedures. Nationwide, more than 700 surgeons are qualified to perform the procedure and in excess of 20,000 patients worldwide have received the STAR ankle, the company noted.
Author Michael B. Stack, CPA, Director of Operations, Amaxx Risk Solutions, Inc. is an expert in employer communication systems and part of the Amaxx team helping companies reduce their workers compensation costs by 20% to 50%. He is a writer, speaker, and website publisher. www.reduceyourworkerscomp.com. Contact: mstack@reduceyourworkerscomp.com.
WORKERS COMP MANAGEMENT MANUAL: www.WCManual.com
Do not use this information without independent verification. All state laws vary. You should consult with your insurance broker or agent about workers comp issues.
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