Author's Reply

Abstract

We thank Dr. Busfield for his interest in our article about the adoption of new technology in sports medicine. We also appreciate his comments regarding the current issues surrounding the use of intra-articular continuous infusion of local anesthetic and post-arthroscopic glenohumeral chondrolysis. We chose Gore-Tex prosthetic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and thermal capsulorrhaphy as historical case studies of adoption of new technology in sports medicine to learn from past experiences. Because these procedures were widely adopted and have subsequently been largely abandoned, the retrospective viewing glass perhaps provides greater understanding regarding adoption of technology. Hopefully, these lessons can help us with the contemporaneous assessment and adoption of new technology. Clearly, these lessons apply not just to these 2 case studies in sports medicine but to other technologies in other fields as well. As discussed in the thoughtful editorial by Drs. Lubowitz and Poehling,1Lubowitz J.H. Poehling G.G. Technology and innovation in arthroscopic and related surgery.Arthroscopy. 2011; 27: 2-4Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (6) Google Scholar technology and innovation are essential in arthroscopic surgery. However, we must also be critical and cautious when adopting new technology. These case studies raise important issues about scientific rationale, basic science research, safety and efficacy trials, the Food and Drug Administration process, longer-term follow-up, sufficiently powered studies, recognition of early failures, postmarket surveillance, and data registries. More Recent History of Rapid Adoption of New Technology in Sports Medicine: Intra-Articular Pain PumpsArthroscopyVol. 27Issue 4PreviewI read with great interest the recent article by Virk and Kocher.1 This article was very informative about the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) process and outlined the quick adoption of new technology without sufficient study and the subsequent abandonment of 2 procedures: thermal capsulorrhaphy and Gore-Tex anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) grafts. These 2 procedures are largely of historical significance and serve to reinforce the importance of sufficient study before marketing and clinical implementation. Full-Text PDF