True innovation in orthopedics is questioned 100% of the time.
Initially, the "true" game changers are thought to be crazy. They challenge the way we think. Challenge our conventional wisdom. Challenge our systems and the status quo.
When people first see "true" innovation, they say...
"That’s too dangerous."
"Surgeons will never use it."
"It’s too complicated."
"The regulators will never approve it."
"Nobody will buy it.”
Let's look a few real life examples from Orthopedic history.
"You can’t stretch and shape bones."
In the 1950’s, Dr. Ilazarov (USSR) performed a corticotomy on long bone and pulls the two ends apart at a rate of 1mm per day. Today the Ilazarov technique is a standard tool in the orthopod's hands.
"You can’t put a cystoscope into the knee and cut knee material."
In 1962, Dr. Watanabe (Japan) did just that and created Arthroscopy, the most common orthopedic surgery today.
"You can’t inject bone cement into the spine."
There is a modulus mis-match and the exothermic process kills bone. Dr. Reiley (US) did in 1984 and created Kyphoplasty.
"You can’t reverse the ball and socket on a total shoulder implant."
It’s not natural...
