FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media contact:
Heather Robbins
(561) 630-7739
Heather@sbrandstrategies.com
JUPITER, FLA. (JUNE 4, 2014) – In order to offer a better alternative to treat patients with
osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee, Matthew Stiebel, M.D. and Gary Ackerman,
M.D. of Palm Beach Sports Medicine, in conjunction with
Jupiter Medical Center, have opened a clinical trial of KineSpring, a new implantable device
intended to treat the symptoms of pain and loss of function of the knee
caused by the disease. Typically, the symptoms of OA are treated with
painkillers and steroids as well as braces. The purpose of this research
study is to test whether the KineSpring device is safe and provides relief
of knee pain, improving knee function.
“Osteoarthritis of the knee can be a debilitating condition. Our
goal is to identify whether we can bring this device to mass market, eliminating
knee pain and restoring normal physical activity to millions,” said
Dr. Stiebel, a board certified orthopedic surgeon on staff at Jupiter
Medical Center and study principal investigator.
The KineSpring System is designed to work by carrying a portion of the
weight that would normally be carried by the natural knee. The implant
is placed under the surface of the skin alongside the knee joint and is
attached to the side of the femur and tibia using screws. A spring, placed
between the ball and socket joints, causes some of the weight in the patient’s
knee to be transferred to the implant when the spring is compressed. The
device is designed to absorb approximately 30 pounds when the leg is fully extended.
Eligible clinical trial participants are those who suffer from OA of the
knee and have consulted with their physician about this investigational device.
Approximately 100 patients in the U.S. have received the KineSpring System
implant through clinical trials. A similar version of the implant used
in a European trial has been implanted in 550 patients as of February
2014. The average patient is 45 to 55 years of age. After surgery, patients
are back to their normal routine at about three weeks. Intensive physical
activity is recommended after only three months.
For more information on the KineSpring System clinical study, contact Palm
Beach Sports Medicine at 561-845-6000.
About the Clinical Research Program
An integral component of Jupiter Medical Center’s (JMC) mission to
improve the health and well-being of the community is access to clinical
trials. Clinical trials may offer the opportunity to receive a new or
potentially more effective therapy for diseases and certain medical conditions.
JMC participates in national clinical studies addressing many aspects
of cancer care, including new forms of treatment, methods of prevention,
ways of screening for cancer and ways to improve comfort and quality of
life for patients. Clinical trials offered at Jupiter Medical Center include
oncology-related trails, disease-specific trials such as surgery studies,
bio specimen trials, hyperbaric oxygen trials, infectious disease studies
and prevention trials. For more information on the Clinical Research Program, visit
Jupitermed.com/clinical-research.
About Jupiter Medical Center
A not-for-profit 283-bed regional medical center consisting of 163 private
acute care hospital beds and 120 long-term care, sub-acute rehabilitation
and Hospice beds, Jupiter Medical Center provides a broad range of services
with specialty concentrations in oncology, imaging, orthopedics &
spine, digestive health, emergency services, lung & thoracic, women’s
health, weight management and men’s health. Founded in 1979, the
Medical Center has approximately 1,500 team members, 575 physicians and
640 volunteers. For more information on Jupiter Medical Center, please
call (561) 263-2234 or visit
Jupitermed.com.
Press Release (PDF)