The Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies* has today announced that DePuy Synthes** has acquired CrossRoads® Extremity Systems, a Tennessee-based foot and ankle company that provides a broad range of procedure-specific, sterile-packed implants and instrumentation systems cleared for lower extremity indications. Private equity firm HealthpointCapital was the majority investor and worked with the CrossRoads® team to develop the company into a growth leader in foot and ankle. This acquisition further demonstrates DePuy Synthes’ commitment to driving orthopaedic, podiatric and medtech advancements through both internal and external innovation to deliver industry-leading technology that improves patient lives.

“At DePuy Synthes, we look at innovation with one goal in mind: to bring differentiated solutions to market to address the unmet needs of surgeons and patients around the world,” said Oray Boston***, Worldwide President, DePuy Synthes Trauma, Extremities, Craniomaxillofacial and Animal Health. “Healthy feet are a foundational element of overall good health, and we are thrilled about the acquisition of CrossRoads® and the opportunity to accelerate meaningful innovation by strengthening our offering for elective foot and ankle procedures, enabling us to provide more comprehensive and leading-edge options to surgeons and patients.”

Elective foot surgeries for conditions like bunions and hammertoes are among fast-growing segments of extremities procedures in orthopaedics and podiatry. In the United States alone, 1 in 4 people suffer from bunions, or hallux valgus, a progressive disorder of the foot in which deformity gradually increases and can eventually compromise desired lifestyle or mobility.1

CrossRoads® brings several differentiated products to the DePuy Synthes portfolio, including miniBunion® 3D, dynaBunion® 4D and DynaForce® Staple Compression Plates. The miniBunion® system is a minimally invasive solution for metatarsal bone osteotomy (a procedure to manage mild to moderate hallux valgus) that reduces the incision size as compared to traditional techniques and aims for less pain and a faster recovery.2-6^ The dynaBunion® lapidus system is an option for lapidus bunionectomy (a procedure to manage moderate to severe hallux valgus) and provides instrumentation and implants to correct bunions in four dimensions through smaller incisions. DynaForce® staple compression plates combine stability with dynamic continuous compression at the fusion site. Together, these systems offer surgical options to address a wide range of bunion deformities – from mild to severe.

In addition to a robust portfolio of more than 25 products, CrossRoads® also brings the EcoSMART® Instrument Service, which provides sterilized, reusable instruments for surgical cases, along with post-surgery instrument recovery and processing, to help reduce waste and inefficiencies in the operating room.

With the acquisition complete, DePuy Synthes is committed to bringing these innovative products to more customers and patients across the United States.

  1. Roddy E, Weiya Z, Doherty M. Prevalence and associations of hallux valgus in a primary care population. Arthritis Care & Research 2008 59(6):857-862,
  2. Lee M, Walsh J, Smith MM, Ling J, Wines A, Lam P. Hallux Valgus Correction Comparing Percutaneous Chevron/Akin (PECA) and Open Scarf/Akin Osteotomies. Foot Ankle Int. 2017;38(8):838-846.
  3. Lai MC, Rikhraj IS, Woo YL, Yeo W, Ng YCS, Koo K. Clinical and radiological outcomes comparing percutaneous chevron-Akin osteotomies vs open scarf-Akin osteotomies for hallux valgus.  Foot Ankle Int. 2018;39(3):311-317. doi:10.1177/1071100717745282
  4. Maffulli N, Longo UG, Oliva F, Denaro V, Coppola C. Bosch osteotomy and scarf osteotomy for hallux valgus correction. Orthop Clin North Am. 2009;40(4):515-524. doi:10.1016/j.ocl.2009.06.003
  5. Ferreira GF, Borges VQ, Moraes LVM, Stéfani KC. Percutaneous Chevron/Akin (PECA) versus open scarf/Akin (SA) osteotomy treatment for hallux valgus: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2021;16(2):e0242496.
  6. Frigg A, Zaugg S, Maquieira G, Pellegrino A. Stiffness and Range of Motion After Minimally Invasive Chevron-Akin and Open Scarf-Akin Procedures. Foot Ankle Int. 2019;40(5):515-525.

Source: DePuy Synthes.

Cautions Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 related to the acquisition of CrossRoads® Extremity Systems. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of DePuy Synthes and/or Johnson & Johnson. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: challenges related to integrating the products and operations of CrossRoads® Extremity Systems, as well as the ability to ensure continued performance or market growth of CrossRoads® Extremity Systems products; the potential that the expected benefits and opportunities related to the transaction may not be realized or may take longer to realize than expected; challenges inherent in product research and development, including the uncertainty of clinical success and obtaining regulatory approvals; uncertainty of commercial success for new products; manufacturing difficulties and delays; product efficacy or safety concerns resulting in product recalls or regulatory action; competition, including technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges to patents; changes to applicable laws and regulations, including tax laws and global health care reforms; changes in behavior and spending patterns or financial distress of purchasers of health care products and services; and trends toward health care cost containment. A further list and descriptions of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Johnson & Johnson’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2021, including in the sections captioned “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” and in Johnson & Johnson’s subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these filings are available online at www.sec.gov, www.jnj.com or on request from Johnson & Johnson. Neither DePuy Synthes nor Johnson & Johnson undertakes to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments.

*Comprising the surgery, orthopaedics, vision and interventional solutions businesses within Johnson & Johnson’s Medical Devices segment.
**DePuy Synthes represents the products and services of DePuy Synthes Sales, Inc. and its affiliates. The legal entity named in this agreement is DePuy Synthes, Inc.
***Oray Boston is an employee of Medical Device Business Services, Inc.
^ miniBunion and dynaBunion are minimally invasive techniques as compared to traditional osteotomies that have larger incisions. As shown in the referenced publications, percutaneous or small incision techniques can have less pain and have led to a faster recovery (improved AOFAS score). Clinical outcomes may vary by surgical technique, procedure, instruments, and specific implants used and there may be different outcomes in future clinical cases that depend on the patient’s overall condition.

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