In the cardio world, clinical data rules ! Clinical data completely dictates which devices are used.
In the ortho world, clinical data is meaningless ! Access, contracts and relationships completely dictate which devices are used.
Now let me clarify.
I am NOT saying the clinical data isn't necessary for the regulatory approval process.
I am saying that clinical data is useless in comparing one device with another in ortho outcomes.
How did we get here ?
As someone who's been knee-deep in the orthopedic industry for years—product development, startups, recruiting talent and dissecting the latest trends—I've always looked for data. For proof.
But lately, I'm questioning whether the clinical data we all chase is worth the paper it's printed on.
This hit home recently when Rick Gerhart, a seasoned ortho executive with decades in total joint replacements, wrote a brilliant guest post for OrthoStreams - The Erosion of Clinical Meaning in Total Joints.
Rick's article on medial pivot (MP) knee implants sparked a firestorm of comments that echoed a sentiment I've been voicing: ortho clinical data has lost its meaning.
Let me break it down for you, drawing from Rick's insights and the...
