Depuy Orthopaedics, Inc. And Depuy Mitek, Inc. Launch New Web Site for Primary Care Providers on Chronic Shoulder Pain

Site Features Interactive Training Modules, Social Networking Links and “Surgeon Locator” for Shoulder Specialist Referrals

Warsaw, IN – DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc. and DePuy Mitek, Inc. have launched MovingBeyondJointPain.com, a new online resource that will help educate primary care providers about the treatment of chronic shoulder pain, a condition that accounted for nearly 7.5 million visits to physician’s offices in 2006 alone.1

According to the American Academy of Family Practitioners (AAFP), shoulder pain is second only to low back pain in patients seeking care for musculoskeletal ailments in the primary care setting.2 Shoulder pain is a common complaint primary care providers hear from their patients. Often, as the first point of contact, the primary care provider can play a critical role in helping patients understand their condition and treatment options.

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), earlier diagnosis and treatment may make a significant contribution to long-term shoulder health.3 Shoulder pain is considered chronic when it does not respond to conservative methods of treatment for a period of three to six months.4

MovingBeyondJointPain.com, for physicians, physician assistants, nurses and physical therapists, offers evidence-based information and interactive learning experiences on diagnosis and treatment strategies across the continuum of shoulder problems caused by injury, degenerative disease, rotator cuff tear, tendinitis, arthritis, dislocation, frozen shoulder and instability.

The interactive learning center on MovingBeyondJointPain.com provides audio and video training modules on topics including the impact of diabetes and obesity on shoulder pain, how these diseases can increase the risk of disability and when they may prompt the need for intervention by a shoulder specialist. Those who complete the training modules can register to receive additional educational materials, including a free shoulder model for use in patient education. The site also features social networking links that will allow health care providers to easily share information.

The site’s Resource Center offers a “Community Care Tool Kit” that includes a newsletter article, radio public service announcement and a PowerPoint presentation that primary care providers can use for local community education. Primary care providers may also obtain downloadable quarterly newsletters, health professional/patient communication guides and a series of patient-friendly informational materials available for in-office use. A “Surgeon Locator” allows primary care providers to input their zip codes to identify shoulder specialists in their areas.

“The goal of treatment should be to restore function of the shoulder joint, rather than just mask painful symptoms, so patients not only improve their quality of life, but return to active lifestyles,” said Dr. Joseph Iannotti, Chairman of the Orthopaedic and Rheumatologic Institute at the Cleveland Clinic. “In most cases, conservative treatments are sufficient, but in other cases, surgery may be required. It’s important for clinicians to know about the entire range of treatment options so patients can get the best counsel and care possible at the appropriate time.”

MovingBeyondJointPain.com covers the range of treatment options from conservative therapies to the latest advances in arthroscopic surgery and shoulder replacement, which more than 60,000 Americans have each year. Shoulder replacements now rank third in the U.S. as the most replaced joint, just behind hip and knee.5


About the DePuy Family of Companies
DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc., DePuy Spine, Inc., Codman & Shurtleff, Inc., and DePuy Mitek, Inc. are part of the DePuy Companies of Johnson & Johnson, which have a rich heritage of pioneering a broad range of products and solutions across the continuum of orthopaedic and neurological care. These companies are unified under one vision – Never Stop Moving™ – to express their commitment to bring meaningful innovation, shared knowledge and a caring touch to patients throughout the world. Visit www.depuy.com for more information.



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1National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey 1998-2006. Data obtained from: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; National Center for Health Statistics. Web Site: http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00130

2Steinfeld R, Valente RM, Stuart MJ. A common sense approach to shoulder problems. Mayo Clin Proc. 1999;74(8):785-794. Web Site: http://www.aafp.org/afp/20080215/493.html

3American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Shoulder surgery. Web Site: http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00066

4Kelton MB, Stevenson JH, Czarnecki GR, Dorfman J, Chronic shoulder pain: Part I. Evaluation and diagnosis. American Family Physician. 2008;77(4):453-60. Web site: http://www.aafp.org/afp/20080215/453.html

5Joshi D. Pearldiver Inc., Orthopedic’s #1 Diagnosis. June 17, 2008. http://www.pearldiverinc.com.