Sonoma Orthopedics

In 2005, a medical device veteran named Charles Nelson founded Sonoma Orthopedic Products with a vision to fundamentally change how bone fractures were treated. The company focused on developing minimally-invasive devices to repair fractures from within the bone, aiming to get patients back to their lives sooner. Their core innovation was a proprietary technology for intramedullary rods—devices inserted inside a bone—that could be placed flexibly and then locked into a rigid state to ensure stability during healing. This “flexible-to-rigid” approach was a significant departure from the standard use of plates and screws, which required larger incisions and often led to more patient discomfort. Sonoma developed a portfolio of products for fractures in the wrist, clavicle, and ankle, offering surgeons a less invasive surgical option that could reduce complications and recovery time. The company's playbook was clear: target complex fractures where a better, less invasive solution could prove its value. A key moment in the company's journey came in February 2011. Sonoma Orthopedics acquired key assets from NovaLign Orthopaedics, bolstering its technology portfolio. This move was quickly followed by a $22 million Series D funding round from investors like Ascension Health Ventures, which was earmarked to expand its sales network and launch new products. Over its lifetime, the company successfully raised over $60 million in capital to fuel its growth and development. After years of developing its technology and proving its clinical benefits, the company reached its final major milestone. In July 2017, Sonoma Orthopedic Products was acquired by Arthrex, a global leader in orthopedic medical devices. The acquisition marked the culmination of Sonoma's journey, integrating its innovative internal fixation technology into the portfolio of a major industry player, validating its mission to create safer and more effective treatments for challenging bone fractures.