Since launching in 2000, LMT Surgical have built a reputation for bringing innovative orthopaedic devices into the Australasian market and building long-standing relationships with healthcare professionals to achieve the best outcomes for clinicians and patients.
Working with Queensland neurosurgeon Dr Bruce Hall, the company was the first to facilitate a cervical disc replacement surgery and after joining Synergy Spine Solutions as a distribution partner completed the first Synergy Disc implant in 2015.
To date LMT Surgical have overseen more than 550 Synergy Disc cases, and we spoke to founder Jon Mills about the relationship with Synergy Spine Solutions and the future for cervical disc replacement in Australia and South-East Asia.
“Synergy are a long-term partner and absolutely one of the best companies we have worked with,” said Jon, who joined the Synergy team as Director of Business Development (Asia Pacific) in 2021.“The way we do business together is just common sense.”
“Australia was an early adopter of both cervical and lumbar arthroplasty, and the Synergy Disc allowed surgeons to change the way they select patients, both with older patients and those with deformity with great success.”
“In the 7 years LMT has represented the Synergy Disc we have not seen any Kyphotic deformity or spontaneous fusion, and there is a reduced chance of adjacent level disease. Arthroplasty used to be seen as a stepping stone to fusion for a younger person but with Synergy Disc that is not the case and it is the gold standard for ACDA.”
In 2020 Synergy launched a multicenter, prospective, non-randomized, historically controlled IDE study in the US, which is running alongside a retrospective study incorporating data from Australia. Jon Mills is excited by the opportunities these studies will provide in opening new territories for the Synergy Disc in South-East Asia.
“When you look at the date from the retrospective and the other studies, it’s hard to argue with,” he said. “The impact these studies will have – particularly in countries like Japan and Korea – is extremely exciting.”
LMT Surgical was acquired by EBOS Group Limited (EBOS) in 2019, Australia’s largest distributor of medical products, strengthening LMT Surgical’s ability to offer new and existing customers a wider scope of service.
“EBOS have been brilliant,” said Jon. “Our business is built on relationships that go beyond dollars and cents, and that’s been reflected by both our customers and the loyalty of our suppliers.
“We are not a purely transactional company – have built real relationships with surgeons and companies including Synergy Spine Solutions, which has led to success at all levels.”
Synergy Spine Solutions VP of Sales and Marketing Tim Hein said: “We value the professional representation of the Synergy Disc provided by LMT Surgical. Their credibility in the market, knowledge of cervical disc replacement and outstanding customer relationships is leading edge. We look forward to continuing to work with them to expand this market.”
