October 03, 2007 14:48 ET

OR-Live Presents: Groundbreaking Surgeon to Perform New Hip Procedure: New Procedure Designed to Help Patients Get Back on Their Feet Sooner

Live Webcast: From Saint John's Health Center: October 9, 2007 2:00 PM PDT (21:00 UTC)

WARSAW, IN--(Marketwire - October 3, 2007) - In a live Internet webcast on October 9, 2007, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Joel M. Matta, M.D. will perform a tissue sparing surgical procedure called the Anterior Approach to total hip replacement with a specially designed surgical table and the Corail® Hip implant from DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc. at the Hip & Pelvic Institute at Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, California. DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc., a company that has taken a leading role in training surgeons in this procedure, is making the broadcast available for free via www.OR-Live.com.

The Anterior Approach is a proven technique for total hip replacement that can help people who have suffered for decades from painful osteoarthritis in their hip. The Anterior Approach makes small-incision surgery an option for patients who were traditionally not candidates because of weight or build. The procedure allows for immediate post-operative stability, less pain and a faster patient recovery. 1-3

The surgery will be performed by Dr. Joel M. Matta, who brought the Anterior Approach to the United States from Europe. Dr. Matta has advanced the technique further by co-designing a specialized surgical table, a hip prosthesis and surgical instruments, as well as improving protocols for the hip replacement procedure. Having performed over 1,500 Anterior Approach hip replacements himself, Dr. Matta has also been instrumental in the training of many orthopaedic surgeons in this technique.

"Using the Anterior Approach allows surgeons to work between the muscles, without detaching them from the hip or thighbones," said Dr. Matta. "When these important muscles are left relatively undisturbed, patients can expect to be on their feet much faster, making quicker steps toward recovery."

Traditional Hip Replacement Vs. the Anterior Approach

Traditional hip replacement surgery typically results in a 6-8 inch incision and a hospital stay of 4-5 days. The Anterior Approach allows for a smaller incision and less tissue disruption, which can shorten the recovery process. Additionally, patients may bend their hip and bear full weight sooner after this surgery than other types of hip replacement surgery.

How Does the Anterior Approach Work?

The surgeon uses an advanced surgical table specifically designed for this procedure:

-- This surgical table allows them to position the patient so that the hip joint may be easily accessed from the front as opposed to the side or back. The Anterior Approach allows the surgeon to work between the muscles without detaching them from the hip or thighbones with many advantages.

- These important muscles are left relatively undisturbed, potentially reducing the recovery time.

- Keeping these muscles intact also helps prevent dislocations.

- Patients may be able to freely bend their hip and bear full weight immediately following surgery.

-- The Corail® Total Hip System, from DePuy, is a clinically proven hip implant uniquely shaped and optimal for the anterior approach due to its streamlined design. 4

About Hip Replacement

The demand for hip replacement is growing rapidly. It is estimated that the number of primary total hip replacements will increase by 174 percent -- to 572,000 -- in 2030. This is due in part to the growing number of Baby Boomers with osteoarthritis and the rise in obesity among the population. 5

As with any medical treatment, individual results may vary. Only an orthopaedic surgeon can determine whether an orthopaedic implant is an appropriate course of treatment. There are potential risks, and recovery takes time. The performance of the new joint depends on weight, activity level, age and other factors.

About the OR-Live Broadcast

Surgeons, patients, caregivers and others may view this procedure for free on the Web at www.OR-Live.com. Information is available at this site about how to view the broadcast. The broadcast will be moderated by J. Bohannon Mason, MD. Dr. Mason is a member of OrthoCarolina, one of the largest and most comprehensive orthopaedic practices in the U.S. Following his residency at Duke University, he was awarded the Otto E. AuFranc Fellowship in Adult Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Mason is a leader in total hip replacement, and he has recently completed an initial series of cases using the Anterior Approach. He brings his experiences with other approaches and his early experiences with the Anterior Approach to his role as moderator.

About DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc.

DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc., a Johnson & Johnson company, is advancing the standard of orthopaedic patient care, with a focused commitment to help surgeons achieve excellence in surgical practice. The company designs, manufactures and distributes orthopaedic devices and supplies including hip, knee, extremity, trauma, cement, orthobiologics, and operating room products. As a global leader in joint replacement products, DePuy Orthopaedics is committed to Restoring the Joy of Motion™ for patients whose mobility is restricted by severe osteoarthritis or other debilitating injury.

References:

1. Comparison THA procedure data on file at DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc.
2. Matta, J.M. and T.A. Ferguson. "THA After Acetabular Fracture."
   Orthopedics 28(9), September 2005: 959-960.
3. Matta, J.M., C. Shahrdar and T. Ferguson. "Single-Incision Anterior
   Approach for Total Hip Arthroplasty on an Orthopaedic Table." Clinical
   Orthopaedics and Related Research 441, December 2005: 115-124
4. Vidalain J.P., Artro Group "Corail in Primary THR: Twelve Years
   Experience." Presented at the  International Corail Conference, Malta
   1998. 97.7% survivorship in 6,700 cases after 10 years.
5. "Total Knee and Hip Replacement Surgery Projections Show Meteoric Rise
   by 2030. Orthopaedic procedures set to continue gaining widespread
   acceptance as means to restore quality-of-life," American Academy of
   Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)
   Web site: www6.aaos.org/news/Pemr/press_release.cfm?PRNumber=442.
   Accessed July 11, 2007.

Visit: http://www.or-live.com/DePuy/2051 now to learn more and view a program preview. VNR: http://www.or-live.com/rams/deo-2051-mkw-q.ram