Wright gets US approval for hip resurfacing system

Wright Medical Group says FDA approved marketing of Conserve Plus hip product; shares climb

• On 3:03 pm EST, Monday November 9, 2009

ARLINGTON, Tenn. (AP) -- Wright Medical Group Inc. said Monday it received marketing approval for its Conserve Plus hip resurfacing system.

Conserve Plus was on the market in other countries but had not been approved in the U.S. by the Food and Drug Administration. Wright said Conserve is an alternative to total hip replacement surgeries that is less extreme and often appeals to younger patients.

The hip is a "ball and socket" joint, and in standard hip replacements, both the ball -- the head of the femoral bone -- and the acetabular shell, or socket, are removed and then replaced with prosthetic devices. In Conserve Plus operations, the socket is replaced, but the head of the femoral bone is shaped instead of being taken out. A cobalt chrome sleeve is placed on top of the remaining bone.

In afternoon trading, Wright shares advanced $1.06, or 6 percent, to $18.63.