The minimum shelf life of the A2® short-shaft implants can be extended to 7 years in the future

The minimum shelf life of the A2® short-shaft implants can in future be extended from the current 5 years to 7 years. This extension was made possible through extensive testing on A2® hip stems that were originally packaged, sterilized and stored under real-time conditions for at least 7 years.

The investigations included both visual inspections of the entire packaging system and in-depth analysis, with a particular focus on the sterile barrier. The results confirmed the high stability and robustness of the packaging: all components were within the required specifications even after 7 years. It was proven that the packaging system reliably ensures the sterility of the products over the extended period. The first parts with the new labeling are currently being produced and will be gradually included in sales from October 2024. As usual, please refer to the label on the actual shelf life ( ) of the implants delivered to you.