Annual Review2016

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Back in the saddle again

Sam Hanebeck, an experienced equestrian, is back in the saddle again thanks to a delicate arthroscopic procedure using our hip and visualization technology.

Sam moved from her native England to North Carolina in 2004, bringing along her horse, Cymro. But in 2012, the pain after riding “progressed to a level that was unbearable,” she says.

Sam struggled with limitations due to the pain, which affected all aspects of her daily life. She had trouble getting up when she was sitting, and she certainly couldn’t ride a horse. “I couldn’t sleep and I wasn’t able to get out of a chair. Day-to-day activities were painful.”

After a series of misdiagnoses, Sam turned to Richard C. Mather III, M.D., an orthopaedic surgeon associated with Duke University Hospital, who specializes in sports medicine and hip preservation procedures. Dr. Mather’s diagnosis: a combined femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), a structural abnormality of the hip joint that alters its biomechanics and often leads to soft tissue damage. This type of hip injury tends to affect younger, active patients.

To repair the damage, he performed arthroscopic surgery, a minimally invasive procedure commonly used to repair knee and shoulder joint injuries. “Hip arthroscopy has evolved rapidly over the last few years,” says Dr. Mather. “We can now treat FAI and other hip problems very successfully.”

Unlike other joints in the human body, the hip joint has a unique anatomy that can make surgical intervention complicated. To properly address these special requirements, hip specialists like Dr. Mather rely on specialized surgical instruments. This is where Stryker comes in.

Kayla Divine Marketing and Education Manager, Sports Medicine

Kayla Divine
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Below:Samantha Hanebeck checks in with her orthopaedic surgeon, Richard C. Mather III, M.D.

With our platform of innovative instruments and implants, surgeons are enabled to efficiently access and restore the mobility of the hip with minimal incisions. “Our innovative platforms in hip arthroscopy, including a full line of implants and tissue resection devices, provide a comprehensive portfolio of products to meet this growing need,” says Matt Moreau, Vice President/General Manager, Sports Medicine.

While Sam’s surgery was lengthy due to the extent of her injury, she felt an immediate improvement. Dr. Mather noted, however, that the pain can return without appropriate physical therapy. Sam worked closely with a physical therapist to rebuild her strength, balance and mobility.

Because of her dedication to the therapy, Sam’s recovery was faster than average. Four months after surgery, she was back to full speed. “I am walking, trotting, and cantering my horse, and I’m totally pain free… it truly is an amazing feeling.”


Note: Dr. Mather is a paid consultant of Stryker. His statements represent his own opinions based on personal experience and are not necessarily those of Stryker. Individual results will vary.

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CinchLock FlexThe market’s first flexible, knotless suture anchor. Designed to provide a more anatomic labral repair in both the shoulder and hip, CinchLock Flex utilizes flexible drill technology and a curved instrumentation system.

CinchLock FlexThe market’s first flexible, knotless suture anchor. Designed to provide a more anatomic labral repair in both the shoulder and hip, CinchLock Flex utilizes flexible drill technology and a curved instrumentation system.

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