Advertising
Advertising Part II
Apr,15,2008 08:38
Every few
months, one of the major implant manufactures starts
a new marketing campaign. Recently, I've had a few
patients ask me about the J&J Rotating Platform
knee. It is advertised as "the only knee that bends
and rotates". This assertion is not only absurd, but
outright wrong. All knee replacements bend and
rotate, otherwise, our patients would be walking like
Frankenstein. This particular knee has been available
for many years and have never been proven to be
superior to other knees in any way. It does, however,
occasionally dislocate and require further surgery.
Another blatant attempt to mislead patients. If you
are considering any kind of knee surgery, discuss the
implant with your doctor until you both feel
comfortable with it. Try not to believe everything
you hear on TV.
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Advertising
Mar,15,2008 08:43
I have
been very concerned about advertising on both TV and
radio being done by many surgeons and orthopaedic
companies. Much of the information is misleading or
downright wrong. One of the surgeons in our area is
advertising a procedure he's only done a few of, and
some others are promoting older technology as if it
were invented yesterday. Of course, it's important
for patients to discuss the type of prosthesis they
may be getting, but I think the advertising can
interfere with that process.