SAN DIEGO, Feb. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Zimmer Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: ZMH; SIX: ZMH), a global leader in musculoskeletal care, today announced that early clinical results of the first patients treated with Zimmer MotionLoc™Screws were free of complications. The Zimmer MotionLoc Screw is Zimmer Trauma’s latest advancement in locking plate technology and is intended for use in conjunction with the Zimmer NCB® Polyaxial Locking Plate System.
The Zimmer MotionLoc Screw for the NCB Polyaxial Locking Plate System offers a new option to surgeons who treat complex long bone fractures, such as those of the femur, tibia or humerus. This technology enables the surgeon to reduce the stiffness of the locking plate construct while still maintaining the strength needed until the fracture begins to heal. Zimmer MotionLoc technology is based on the concept of Far Cortical Locking, which may reduce the stiffness of locked plating constructs while still retaining the construct’s strength.
“This new technology builds on Zimmer’s longstanding tradition of offering surgeons easy-to-use products in trauma care,” said Jeff Paulsen, Group President, Zimmer Global Businesses. “We believe this screw will prove to be a game-changer for surgeons treating complex long bone fractures, without drastically altering their surgical procedure.”
A total of ten patients were treated using the Zimmer MotionLoc Screws between October 2010 and January 2011, and postoperatively, surgeons reported no complications in implant application, implant fixation or fracture healing. Specifically, surgeons commented that insertion and removal of the Zimmer MotionLoc Screws felt normal and the procedures did not require additional effort compared to standard screw insertion.
Zimmer MotionLoc Screws provide fixation in the far cortex of the diaphysis (shaft) of the bone and are locked into the plate. Without being rigidly fixed in the near cortex, these screws flex within a controlled motion envelope.
For more information about the Zimmer MotionLoc Screw, visit the Zimmer exhibit at the 2011 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) annual meeting in San Diego, CA, or go to www.zimmer.com.
About the Company
Founded in 1927 and headquartered in Warsaw, Indiana, Zimmer designs, develops, manufactures and markets orthopaedic reconstructive, spinal and trauma devices, dental implants, and related surgical products. Zimmer has operations in more than 25 countries around the world and sells products in more than 100 countries. Zimmer’s 2010 sales were approximately $4.2 billion. The Company is supported by the efforts of more than 8,000 employees worldwide.
Zimmer Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the orthopaedics industry, management’s beliefs and assumptions made by management. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as “may,” “will,” “expects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “estimates,” “projects,” “assumes,” “guides,” “targets,” “forecasts,” and “seeks” or the negative of such terms or other variations on such terms or comparable terminology. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially. For a list and description of such risks and uncertainties, see our periodic reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be set forth in our periodic reports. Readers of this document are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, since, while we believe the assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, there can be no assurance that these forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate. This cautionary statement is applicable to all forward-looking statements contained in this document.
SOURCE Zimmer Holdings, Inc.
