Cementless Elbow Prostheses Done At Mich State Univ - Page 1

Innovative surgery by MSU veterinarian provides new lease on life to
dogs

Contact: Jason Cody, University Relations, Office: (517) 432-0924,

Cell: (734) 755-0210, Jason.Cody@ur.msu.edu; Loic Dejardin, College
of Veterinary Medicine, dejardin@msu.edu, Office: (517) 432-5526

E-mail Editor

Published: Oct. 29, 2008

Story
Jake, a yellow Labrador retriever, underwent surgery at MSU for a
cementless elbow prosthesis. Photos by Jason Cody.

Jake, an 11-year-old yellow Labrador retriever and the first dog in
the Midwest to undergo surgery for a cementless elbow prosthesis,
rehabilitates his elbow on an underwater treadmill. The procedure was
done at Michigan State University's Veterinary Teaching Hospital by
veterinary orthopedic surgeon Loic Dejardin.

.EAST LANSING, Mich. — Only six months after undergoing a unique and
innovative surgery at Michigan State University, Jake – part dog and
now part machine – spends his time working out on an underwater
treadmill, traversing obstacle courses and prancing around pain free.


Jake, an 11-year-old yellow Labrador retriever, was the first dog in
the Midwest and only the 11th in the world to undergo surgery for a
new, cementless elbow prosthesis last April. The procedure, done at
MSU's Veterinary Teaching Hospital by veterinary orthopedic surgeon
Loic Dejardin, has left Jake pain free from elbow arthritis.

Without the surgery, Jake would have dealt with severe pain for the
rest of his life.

Dejardin has helped MSU's hospital become one of the first four
institutions in the country to offer this elbow prosthesis, which has
potential applications for human joint replacements as well.

"Jake's case has been an absolute success," said Dejardin, who has
performed three more elbow prosthetic surgeries and is preparing for
another this week. "The work we are doing here is transforming
veterinary care."

Jake was referred to MSU by veterinarian Sarah Shull of Grand Rapids'
Family Friends Veterinary Hospital and Pet Care Center, where he now
undergoes intensive physical rehabilitation under the guidance of Kim
Selbee. Dan and Sue Falk of Grands Rapids are Jake's owners.

"We were told originally there was nothing that could be done for the
pain Jake was in," Sue Falk said. "But after talking with Dr.
Dejardin, we were so impressed and wanted to try the surgery. It is
so exciting to be part of such amazing work.

"Jake is running around just like he did when he was younger."

The technology for the prosthetic elbow came to MSU through the work
of Randy Acker, a veterinarian from Idaho, and Greg Van Der Meulen,
an engineer now working with BioMedtrix, a New Jersey company and
leader in joint replacement design.

Cementless prostheses have many potential advantages over the
currently used cemented model, including reduced risk of infection
and reduced rate of implant wear, both of which are regarded as
leading causes of post-surgery morbidity and implant failure. The
surgery also is performed as a minimally invasive procedure, which
drastically cuts the risk of catastrophic complications, fractures
and dislocations.

"Clini

Clinical results have been very positive, and we believe there is
potential for this system to mimic total hip replacement in aspects
of operating time, post-op function and patient recovery," Dejardin
said.

Van Der Meulen said the design of the implant virtually guarantees
proper alignment of the joint surfaces, as opposed to other designs
which leave greater room for surgical error.

"With this surgical technique and instrumentation, we are able to
prepare the bones of the elbow simultaneously, practically
guaranteeing alignment," he said. "Depending on the joint, this could
have potential for use in human joint replacement as well."


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