VitaTalk Ep. 12

elliebecker35
Jun 17
3 min read

Engineering Innovation in Orthopedics: A Conversation with Dr. David Crawford

In episode 12 of the VitaTalk podcast, Dr. Crawford shares how his military and surgical background inspired a more efficient, cost-effective reamer design. Backed by VitaTek’s engineering team, his vision is fast becoming a reality, one that promises to improve outcomes for both patients and low-volume surgeons across the country.

How one surgeon’s vision is reshaping hip replacement surgery with smarter tools and strategic partnerships

Orthopedic surgery isn’t often seen as a hotbed of innovation, however, when you combine the clinical insight of a leading surgeon with a nimble engineering team, transformation starts to look not just possible, but inevitable. On this episode of the VitaTek podcast, we sat down with Dr. David Crawford, a military veteran, orthopedic surgeon, and innovator, to talk about the future of hip replacement surgery and how an idea can become a real-world solution.

From Injury to Innovation: Dr. Crawford’s Path to Orthopedics

Dr. Crawford’s story begins like many in his field, with a high school sports injury. That experience sparked his interest in orthopedics, which he pursued through medical school at Ohio State, followed by nine years of service in the military. Specializing initially in sports medicine and ACL procedures, Dr. Crawford later completed a fellowship in adult reconstruction and now focuses primarily on hip and knee replacements in Columbus, Ohio.

Shifting the Standard: The Rise of Anterior Hip Replacements

While the traditional approach to hip replacement surgery remains common, Dr. Crawford is among the growing cohort of surgeons embracing the anterior approach. Approximately 60% of hip surgeons now use this method, which allows for faster recovery and improved imaging accuracy.

“Our practice was a pioneer in this space,” Dr. Crawford noted. “It’s not just about going faster, it’s about reducing unnecessary steps and improving patient outcomes.”

A Better Reamer: Where Innovation Begins

The heart of the conversation centered around a seemingly simple but revolutionary concept: a better reamer. In hip replacement surgery, reamers are used to prepare the bone socket for the implant. Traditionally, this involves using a tray with 15 to 20 sizes, cumbersome, dull over time, and inconsistent in measurement.

Dr. Crawford's breakthrough idea? An expandable, adjustable reamer that minimizes equipment, improves precision, and streamlines the procedure.

“Others have tried, but no one’s brought one to market successfully,” he said. “We focused on solving not just the technical issues, but also the cost barrier. Hospitals and surgeons can’t afford to take on more expense without a clear value.”

Why Partnerships Matter: Working with VitaTek

Innovation is only as strong as the team that supports it. For Dr. Crawford, collaborating with VitaTek has been instrumental in moving his idea from sketchpad to prototype.

“We surgeons have ideas, but we’re also running busy practices,” he said. “The team at VitaTek, especially my lead engineer, Adam Troness, was critical in translating my vision into something real. Weekly meetings, fast iteration, and engineers who think outside the box made a huge difference.”

Adam echoed that sentiment: “Having constant feedback from someone who actually performs these surgeries was invaluable. It kept us on track and pushed the design further than we could’ve taken it on our own.”

From Prototype to Market: What’s Next

With a functional prototype now in hand and real-world testing already underway, the project is inching closer to manufacturability. For Dr. Crawford, the goal isn’t just to launch a product, it’s to improve outcomes for both patients and surgeons.

His advice for other physician-inventors?

“Don’t just chase a cool idea. Solve a real problem. Ask: does it help patients? Does it save money? Does it make surgery easier? If it doesn’t check one of those boxes, it’s not worth it.”

Conclusion: Transforming the OR One Idea at a Time

This episode of the VitaTek podcast offered a rare, behind-the-scenes glimpse into what innovation really looks like in healthcare: a long-term partnership, grounded in trust, iteration, and real-world application. From idea to prototype and eventually to market, Dr. Crawford’s journey is a testament to what’s possible when clinicians and engineers build together.

Stay tuned for more episodes and updates—because the best ideas in healthcare are just getting started.