JB&JS Article Discusses Opportunities for Sports Surgery to Support Sustainability

A recent article titled The Environmental Impact of Orthopaedic Surgery that appeared in the November 2022 Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery really hit home for the GreenRepair^® Team at Tigon Medical. The authors discuss opportunities for orthopedic surgeons to take a proactive role in addressing climate change. Areas of impact include operating-room waste, carbon emissions from transportation and implant manufacturing, anesthetic gases, and water usage.

What really stood out to us was this quote; “We should also communicate with implant companies to minimize unnecessary packaging and encourage the use of recyclable materials.¹” The GreenRepair^® Team couldn’t agree more. In fact, we already provide reusable instruments and trays with substantially reduced packaging.

Of particular note the authors mention, “The OR is filled with many disposable items, each carrying a carbon impact. These include drapes, gowns, positioning materials and disposable instruments. These items can and should be examined for their impact.¹” They go on to say, “A specific area in which orthopaedists have a direct impact is in the selection of implants.¹” Then continue, “A stainless steel, cobalt-chromium, or PEEK implant that is deployed as a medical device has a vastly greater carbon history than that of a piece of steel used in construction because of the implant’s increased level of machining, testing, sterilizing, and packaging. Our analysis of a commonly used PEEK suture anchor suggested that up to 75% of the total carbon footprint of the device can be eliminated if the device used to deploy the anchor is reused 3 to 4 times.¹“

Unlike disposable, single-use tools typically used for sports surgeries, GreenRepair^® handles, devices and trays are reusable. This feature keeps them out of the incinerator and landfill. And, can help offset the carbon footprint of anchor manufacturing.

Speaking of carbon footprint, the article encourages this action; “Use less. While optimizing patient care, use fewer instruments in fewer trays to decrease sterilization needs and use fewer implants to decrease the environmental costs of production. Consider using reusable materials when possible.¹” The GreenRepair^® team emphatically agrees. Tigon Medical makes available a unique range of sports surgery anchors and devices to support sustainability efforts. You can find out more about Tigon Medical’s reusable instruments at www.TigonMedical.com.

Buy a full copy of the article here.

¹The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery 105(1):p 74-82, January 4, 2023. | DOI: 10.2106/JBJS.22.00548