Rotating Hinge Knee Addresses Difficult Primary and Revision Cases
WARSAW, Ind., Oct 29, 2002-- Zimmer Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: ZMH) announced today that it has launched the NexGen® Rotating Hinge Knee, another option for orthopaedic surgeons to use in addressing difficult primary and revision knee cases.
In primary knee replacement, the patient's own ligaments may provide sufficient constraint to keep the implant components in proper alignment. Revision surgery is performed when a patient's original, or primary knee replacement, is no longer performing as intended. The NexGen Rotating Hinge Knee is intended for use in knees that have experienced moderate to severe knee instability, significant bone loss or have ligament deficiencies. The hinge is designed to assure that the structures required to flex the knee remain in proper alignment and that the patient's knee remains stable throughout normal activities of daily living.
"Revision knee surgery is growing more rapidly than primary knee replacement and Zimmer offers surgeons a number of options to treat the wide variety of patient indications likely to be encountered," said Zimmer Chairman, President and CEO Ray Elliott. "The NexGen Rotating Hinge design provides an additional option that may be used after other revision efforts have failed. We believe this unique and patented design represents the next generation in rotating hinge knee design and will allow many patients who may have been facing joint fusion to continue to walk with potentially improved flexion. The Rotating Hinge Knee is significant for Zimmer since we have not had a product in this market segment. We expect that a significant proportion of the sales of this product will come at the expense of our competitors."
The NexGen Rotating Hinge was designed to provide joint kinematics that are similar to those of primary knee replacement systems. Because it is a modular system with interchangeable components the surgical procedure is less complex than with competing products. The Zimmer Rotating Hinge Knee has a patented hinge design that loads the tibia in a similar manner to a primary knee and minimizes the bone resection necessary with other hinged knee designs. The hinged design provides proper constraint, while rotating features reduce stresses at the bone cement interfaces.
Zimmer's NexGen Knee, The Complete Knee Solution, is one of the world's leading knee replacement brands. The system provides surgeons with a wide range of surgical options to address virtually every patient situation. The system includes options for primary and revision procedures, in both cemented and non-cemented applications (indicated for cemented use only in the U.S.). Among the designs Zimmer has released to accommodate a wider variety of surgeon preferences is the NexGen LPS-Flex Fixed Bearing Knee, which accommodates a resumption of deep-knee bending activities. Information about this and other designs is available at www.pacewithlife.com.
Zimmer says that the NexGen Rotating Hinge Knee is simultaneously being launched in North America and Europe and will be available globally by early 2003. Designed in conjunction with a worldwide team of surgeon consultants, the Rotating Hinge Knee underwent significant laboratory analysis at Zimmer, including examination in the company's wear-testing simulators. Prior to the launch, more than 100 procedures were performed to confirm the design.
Zimmer, based in Warsaw, Indiana, is a global leader in the design, development, manufacture and marketing of reconstructive orthopaedic implants and fracture management products. Orthopaedic reconstruction implants restore joint function lost due to disease or trauma in joints such as knees, hips, shoulders and elbows. Fracture management products are devices used primarily to reattach or stabilize damaged bone and tissue to support the body's natural healing process. Zimmer also manufactures and markets other products related to orthopaedic and general surgery. For the year 2001, Zimmer recorded worldwide revenues of approximately $1.2 billion. Zimmer was founded in 1927 and has more than 3,500 employees worldwide.
Visit Zimmer on the worldwide web at www.zimmer.com and at www.pacewithlife.com
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