Smith+Nephew launches new portfolio in sports medicine

Medtech company Smith+Nephew has launched its foot and ankle repair portfolio in Australia and New Zealand, introducing proprietary adjustable tensioning technology. With approximately 230,000 Australians seeking treatment for ankle sprains or strains each year, the new devices promise to enhance patient outcomes.

The portfolio includes the ULTRABRIDGE adjustable achilles reconstruction and ULTRABRACE adjustable ankle instability techniques, which allow surgeons to refine and optimise suture tension after anchor insertion.

“Both Australians and New Zealanders are very physically active, with sports and active recreation participation rates exceeding 75%. Our portfolio of foot & ankle solutions represents a truly groundbreaking introduction for today’s athletes by offering adjustable tensioning technology after anchor insertion, which is not currently available in the ANZ market,” said Joaquin Lasso, SVP of Sports Medicine, International Markets at Smith+Nephew.

“This technology allows surgeons to personalise their treatment for each patient and returns them to living their life unlimited,’ he added.

Smith+Nephew is trailing behind Arthrex and facing competition from Stryker and Johnson & Johnson MedTech’s DePuy. However, according to the company, the adjustable tensioning technology sets the devices apart, giving surgeons the ability to precisely control the range of motion based on each patient’s activity level. By enabling the surgeon to check and adjust the repair before locking the suture, this innovation may help restore normal anatomy and deliver superior outcomes for patients.

The new portfolio also features Smith+Nephew’s suture anchor, known for its “consistent deployment and strong fixation”. The anchor is now integrated with needles for open procedures, and the anchor inserter tensions the device during deployment.

In related news, Smith+Nephew recently revised its growth forecast, citing a decline in sales in China due to changes in procurement policies. CEO Deepak Nath, who took on the role in April 2022, has previously outlined a 12-point plan to improve performance by 2025. Despite these efforts, investor pressure has prompted the company to consider spinning off its struggling orthopaedics division.

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