HyProCure Stent to Fix Foot Pain Celebrates Six Years: Minimally Invasive Implant Continues to Reverse Devastating Foot Condition and Restore Patients' Quality of Life Worldwide

MACOMB TOWNSHIP, MI, October 28, 2010 (Press-News.org) Just a few short years ago, the HyProCure sinus tarsi stent, a small titanium implant no longer than a paper clip, was an inspiration on a sketch pad and a dream to help people live a life free of debilitating foot pain.

At that time, Dr. Michael E. Graham, the podiatric surgeon and creator of HyProCure, was searching for a better way to help his patients suffering from a very common and often devastating foot condition known as talotarsal dislocation syndrome (TTDS). TTDS is an abnormal motion of the ankle on the hindfoot bones causing the foot to become misaligned or overpronate, and producing incredibly painful secondary effects, ranging from flat feet, heel spurs and plantar fasciitis, to bunions and hammer toes, leg and knee pain, hip and back problems, and even headaches. Some patients' symptoms become so severe they can no longer walk or stand for more than a few seconds or minutes.

"I was seeing some really sad and unfortunate cases who were not responding to traditional conservative treatments. In some of the patients, their pain was so severe they were crawling out of bed in the morning, no longer able to work or perform basic functions," said Graham.

He tried many methods available on the market, but none of them were quite right. Graham decided to come up with his own. It was an idea borne out of necessity.

"I wasn't finding what I was looking for. Orthotics and special shoes just aren't helpful for everyone, and are rarely an adequate longterm solution. Other types of implants often had less than stellar results. I didn't want a temporary fix, and neither did my patients," said Graham. "I knew there had to be a better way."

So he began work on putting an innovative new twist on an old idea--a small stent placed in the naturally occurring space between the ankle and heel bone (sinus tarsi) to prevent the partial displacement of the ankle bone on the hindfoot bones. This keeps the space open and restores proper foot mechanics. Unlike other devices, this one would be different: The HyProCure would be non-reactive (made of titanium) so the body wouldn't reject it. It would have the best anatomical design and biomechanical function. The out-patient procedure would be minimally invasive, requiring only a small incision and twilight sedation. And unlike many older types of implants that required drilling and screwing into the bone, HyProCure is simply pushed into the sinus tarsi. Once in position, the body's natural tissues grab hold of the stent's special groove system and keep it in place for the rest of the recipient's life.

He worked on a model and refined it over time so that this new implant would produce better results than any of its predecessors in the industry. The goal was a longterm solution so patients wouldn't have to endure a litany of temporary fixes and unending pain. The result was lifelong correction that rebalances the ankle on the heel bone, putting the body back in alignment, and eliminating the resulting painful, and often unbearable symptoms.

Six years later, HyProCure and its parent company, GraMedica, have helped thousands of foot pain sufferers in the US and around the world.

"I am able now to run and play with my four-year-old daughter, who's very active. Now I can be on my feet and not have to worry about pain... It's a total turn around for me. If your feet hurt, you're just miserable. Your whole body hurts from your feet, so I'm very happy now," said Teresa Joslin who suffered from foot and leg pain for years and received the HyProCure implant in 2010.

Since 2004, the company, now headquartered in Macomb Township, Michigan, has grown dramatically, adding staff, engaging in research and development, and refining physician training and marketing tools to support the hundreds of surgeons worldwide certified to perform the HyProCure procedure.

"It's been amazing to see the results of the thousands of people whose quality of lives have been completely turned around for the better," said Graham. "We're blessed to be a part of such an important endeavor."

If you are suffering from foot, ankle, leg, knee and hip pain, you may be experiencing the effects of talotarsal dislocation syndrome. Please visit www.hyprocure.com for more information about the symptoms and solutions. Podiatrists and other surgeons are invited to learn more about the HyProCure implant and procedure at www.hyprocuredoctors.com, where they can also train online or find a live surgical training seminar in their area.

Press queries should be directed to Fran Vincent at GraMedica at 586-677-9600, ext. 246, or fvincent@gramedica.com.

About HyProCure
HyProCure is an internal stabilization device that is placed inside the foot to correct talotarsal dislocation syndrome (TTDS), a common condition that can produce a litany of very painful symptoms. In those with TTDS, the natural space between the ankle and heel bones (called the sinus tarsi) is collapsed, causing the normal weight-distribution mechanisms of the body to malfunction. HyProCure acts as a stent to keep open that space in its natural position, instantly stabilizing and restoring the foot's normal anatomy and mechanics, and correcting the imbalances created in the rest the body. HyProCure represents a real solution for TTDS and excessive foot pronation. The accompanying procedure is minimally invasive and is usually performed under local anesthesia or twilight sedation.

About GraMedica
GraMedica was founded in 2004 and is committed to the HyProCure system. It directly oversees the research, production, physician training and worldwide support from its headquarters in Macomb Township, Michigan. Its flagship product, HyProCure, is available in the US, Canada, throughout Europe and as far away as in New Zealand and South Africa, with adoption in other countries on the horizon.
http://gramedica.com/