Ascension Orthopedics Introduces the MOVEMENT(TM) Hemi Great Toe System

AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Ascension Orthopedics, Inc., a leader in orthopedic extremity implants, announces the launch of the MOVEMENT™ Hemi Great Toe Implant System at the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons Annual Conference in Las Vegas, NV, February 22-26, 2010. The MOVEMENT Hemi Great Toe System is intended to maintain motion for patients with painful arthritic great toe joints.

Available in four sizes, the MOVEMENT Hemi Great Toe System provides cannulated instrumentation for ease of use and utilizes a conical reaming approach for minimal bone resection and retention of plantar soft tissue attachments. This system provides resurfacing hemi arthroplasty for either side of the great toe joint, allowing foot surgeons' intra-operative flexibility.

The first MOVEMENT Hemi Great Toe was implanted on January 29, 2010 by Dr. William Montross with Front Range Orthopedics in Colorado Springs, CO to resurface the first metatarsal head during surgery for treatment of hallux rigidus.

"The anatomical shape of the MOVEMENT Hemi Great Toe implants and the cannulated instrumentation allow for better remodeling of the joints' surfaces compared to other commercially available implants as well as a streamlined approach to first metatarsophalangeal joint arthroplasty," said Dr. Montross.

The MOVEMENT Hemi Great Toe System reflects Ascension's dedication to expanding its foot and ankle product offering which includes the Total Foot System, a procedure-specific locking plate system for forefoot and hindfoot surgery, the CAPTURE™ Screw System, a full-line of cannulated compression screws, and the PyroSphere® TMT, the first PyroCarbon implant available for the foot.

"The addition of the MOVEMENT Hemi Great Toe System demonstrates the company's leadership role in extremity orthopedics and highlights our commitment to providing innovative solutions for the specific challenges faced by foot and ankle surgeons," states Guy Mayer, President and CEO of Ascension Orthopedics.

Ascension Orthopedics was founded in Austin, Texas in 1996. The company's first product was an innovative pyrolytic carbon total joint replacement for the MCP joint of the hand. Its joint replacement product line has since expanded to include implants for the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand, foot and ankle. Ascension's mission is to transform extremities by developing state-of-the-art orthopedic products for the upper and lower limbs to help patients suffering from pain and dysfunction. Ascension Orthopedics sells products in the United States and in more than 23 countries worldwide. For further information, please visit http://www.ascensionortho.com/.

SOURCE Ascension Orthopedics, Inc.