COPENHAGEN, Denmark, June 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

- Modular Neck Options for the Proven CLS(R) Spotorno(R) Stem Body

Zimmer Holdings, Inc. (NYSE and SIX: ZMH), a global leader in musculoskeletal care, today introduced its CLS Brevius Stem with Kinectiv Technology at the 12th annual European Federation of National Associations of Orthopaedics and Traumatology (EFORT) meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark. The new hip stem is based on the CLS Spotorno Stem, one of the most reliable implants worldwide [1-3] with more than 25 years of clinical use. The new hip stem writes the next chapter in CLS Spotorno Stem history with the addition of Kinectiv Technology. This technology enables surgeons to better match patients' individual needs with modular neck options designed for independent intra-operative adjustments.

The CLS Spotorno Hip Stem is a pioneering system for uncemented total hip arthroplasty characterized by excellent primary and rotational stability. Since its introduction in the 1980s, the CLS Spotorno Stem has been used in more than 560,000 total hip arthroplasty procedures around the world [4]. The stem has been optimized to accommodate a variety of patients' anatomies and to bring great intraoperative flexibility.

Intra-Operative Flexibility with Kinectiv Technology

Expanding the CLS Spotorno Stem technology through a modular neck approach combines a proven concept with more than 25 years of clinical success with the intra-operative flexibility of modular neck options. Kinectiv Technology offers a wide array of head center locations allowing for an independent, intra-operative control of leg length, offset and version for a more accurate restoration of the patient's natural anatomy. The CLS Brevius Stem with Kinectiv Technology is shorter than conventional stems, providing greater bone conservation compared with the original CLS Spotorno Stem.

Documented Long-Term Reliability

The CLS Stem's capacity for osseointegration has been demonstrated in a number of clinical studies with follow-up periods up to 20 years [2, 3, 5, 7]. The Swedish Hip Arthroplasty Registry documents a 97.5% survival rate at 16 years postoperative [1]. Consistently, Muller et al. found a stable stem fixation in 98.8% of the operated hips 17 years after implantation [3]. All of these studies, together with the results of other clinical investigations, some of which encompass follow-up periods of up to 20 years [7], confirm that revision surgery after implantation of the CLS Spotorno Hip Stem body is a rare event - again demonstrating the excellent longevity of this implant with long-time survival rates.

Kinectiv Technology can already look back on initial periods of clinically proven success. The results indicate that the design of the Kinectiv Neck Implants not only gives the flexibility surgeons need to address a wide range of patient anatomies but also meets the stringent strength requirements. In a 2-year follow-up multicenter study conducted on 634 patients, Duwelius et al. were not able to find any complications related to femoral implant nor fractures of a stem or modular necks or dissociations of the nead-neck junction [6].

For more information about the advantages of CLS Brevius stem with Kinectiv Technology, please visit the Zimmer booth at EFORT or visit evolution.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.

References

[1] www.jru.orthop.gu.se; Annual report 2008

[2] Schreiner et al. Mid-term results of the cementless CLS stem. A 7- to 11-year follow-up study. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 2001;121:321-324

[3] Muller et al. Seventeen-year survival of the cementless CLS Spotorno stem. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 2010;130:269-275

[4] Zimmer data on file

[5] Schramm et al. Total hip arthroplasty using an uncemented femoral component with taper design: outcome at 10-year follow-up. Arch Orthop Trauma 2000;120:407-412

[6] Duwelius P.J, et al: Clinical Results of a Modular Neck Hip System: Hitting the "Bull's-Eye" More Accurately, Am J Orthop. 2010; 39 (10 suppl):2-6

[7] Aldinger P.R, et al: Uncemented Grit-Blasted Straight Tapered Titanium Stems in Patients Younger than Fifty-five Years of Age. Fifteen to Twenty-Year Results, J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2009;91:1432-1439

SOURCE Zimmer Holdings, Inc.