A Great British Medical Invention Celebrates its 10th Anniversary…The BIRMINGHAM HIP Resurfacing System (BHR™) from Smith & Nephew

Latest figures from market leading hip resurfacing firm Smith & Nephew show that more than 70,000 patients in 42 countries have achieved a better quality of life and improved their mobility with the company's innovative Birmingham Hip Resurfacing System (BHR™). The figures, released in celebration of the BHR™'s 10th anniversary, also show that the procedure has a 97.2 per cent survival rate* and has spawned almost 20 imitators.

For active informed patients, the 10th anniversary data suggests a way of life that would have been unimaginable a decade ago when the only option would have been a Total Hip Replacement (THR).

Now, patients can be offered an alternative that decreases the likelihood of having further surgery and its associated complications and also enables patients to get back on their feet sooner – in some cases, even being able to return to high impact sports such as tennis and running, something not commonly recommended after a THR.

Less traumatic than a THR, where damaged parts of the hip socket (acetabulum) and ball (femoral head) are removed and replaced, the BHR™ conserves bone. It allows the head of the femur (thigh bone) to be retained and the two surfaces of the hip joint relined with a low friction and wear metal device made of cobalt chrome.

Terry Smith, Marketing Director, Smith & Nephew Metal on Metal Division said: “The BHR™ offers active patients something that a THR may not be able to achieve - the chance to return to their normal lives. The data we have collated to celebrate the first 10 years of the BHR™ proves that it is a robust device with an extremely high success rate. Over the next ten years, we at Smith & Nephew are determined to continue delivering the extremely high standards associated with creating the BHR™ device and providing world class training to surgeons to ensure the outcome data remains constant.”

Top facts on the BHR™
1997- 2007

• 70,000 patients have received the BHR™ worldwide in 42 different countries

• The BHR™ is the only resurfacing implant to have long term clinical results – it has a 97.2 per cent success rate

• Smith & Nephew now manufacture 35,000 BHR™ devices a year

• Patients should be able to drive four weeks after receiving the BHR™ and also eventually return to vigorous activity such as running and tennis** (may not be possible with the THR)


10 Years of the BHR™

1997 Mr Derek McMinn FRCS and Mr Ronan Treacy FRCS set up Midland Medical Technology (MMT) to produce the BHR™

The BHR™ is first used in surgery and the procedure and device remain unchanged for the next 10 years!

April 1999 – 2004 Mean age of patients is revealed to be 51 years

2002 Mr Derek McMinn’s FRCS five year data is received and implant survival rate is recorded at 98 per cent overall

The BHR™ is approved by NICE (the National Institute of Clinical Excellence)

2004 Smith & Nephew acquire MMT and both companies share the same goals of helping getting people back to their everyday lives

2006 Approval is obtained from the FDA advisory panel in the US to train surgeons and offer the BHR™ procedure in the USA

2007 The BHR™ from Smith & Nephew celebrates its 10th anniversary

Worldwide survival rate is at 97.2 per cent


*Oswestry Outcome data, 2006
**Dependent upon individual patient


ENDS

For further information on the BHR™ or to arrange an interview, please contact the BHR™ press office on 01223 566 212 or email Zoisa@war.uk.com or lindsay.stanley@war.uk.com

About the BHR™:
Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year [2007], the BIRMINGHAM HIP™ Resurfacing System (BHR™) from Smith & Nephew is the global market leading hip resurfacing device.

Designed by Mr Derek McMinn FRCS and Mr Ronan Treacy FRCS, the BHR™ offers active informed patients (under the age of 55) an alternative to Total Hip Replacement (THR). Over the past 10 years, 70, 000 patients worldwide have received the BHR™ helping them to regain their lives. The implant is the only resurfacing device to have a verified clinical history with a high survival rate of 97.2 per cent over seven years.

Less traumatic than a THR where damaged parts of the hip socket (acetabulum) and ball (femoral head) are removed and replaced, the BHR™ conserves bone. The BHR™ allows the head of the femur (thigh bone) to be retained and the two surfaces of the hip joint relined with a low friction and wear metal device made of cobalt chrome.

For more information about the BHR™ please contact your GP or visit www.hipresurfacing.com/.


About Smith & Nephew:
Smith & Nephew is a global medical technology business, specialising in Orthopaedic Reconstruction, Orthopaedic Trauma and Clinical Therapies, Endoscopy and Advanced Wound Management products. Smith & Nephew is a global leader in arthroscopy and advanced wound management and is one of the leading global orthopaedics companies.

Smith & Nephew is dedicated to helping improve people's lives. The Company prides itself on the strength of its relationships with its surgeons and professional healthcare customers, with whom its name is synonymous with high standards of performance, innovation and trust. The Company has 8,800 employees and operates in 31 countries around the world generating annual sales approaching $2.8 billion. Please see www.smith-nephew.com for further information.