The Reno Orthopaedic Clinic and the University of Nevada School of Medicine jointly conducted two independent IRB-approved studies using The Orthopaedic Implant Company’s generic screws.
In the first study, 45 femoral neck fracture patients treated with OIC’s generic 7.3 mm cannulated screws were compared to 50 patients treated with conventional screws. The study looked at operative time, estimated blood loss, complication rate, shortening, screw cutout, conversion to arthroplasty and varus collapse. There were no measurable differences between both sets of patients, and the hospital saw a 67 percent cost reduction by using OIC’s generic screws resulting in an annual savings of $34,653 for the hospital.
The second study compared 35 patients treated with OIC generic cannulated screws against 44 patients treated with conventional screws for posterior pelvic ring injuries. In the generic group, surgeons implanted 45 screws and 40 washers. In the conventional group surgeons implanted 59 screws and 50 washers. A blind reviewer found there was no increase in operative time, estimated blood loss, complication rate, screw cutout, screw deformation or screw loosening. The hospital realized a 73 percent cost reduction, which translates to an annual savings of $14,472. Hospital implant costs were decreased significantly without any associated increase in complication rate or radiographic outcome.
