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Comparative Study Shows Significant Bone In-growth and Advanced Clinical Outcomes Using Zimmer's Trabecular Metal(TM) Technology

Posted on: Wednesday, 25 February 2009, 15:30 CST

10-Year Study Highlights Trabecular Metal Technology's Clinical Success Over Traditional Metal Implants

WARSAW, Ind., Feb. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Zimmer Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: ZMH; SWX: ZMH), a leader in the orthopaedic industry, today announced that data from an independent 10-year Trabecular Metal(TM) Technology comparative clinical study demonstrates the osteoconductive properties of Zimmer's Trabecular Metal Technology. The study found bone-to-implant gap-filling and positive clinical outcomes up to 10 years after total hip arthroplasty (THA) using products made with Zimmer's Trabecular Metal Technology.

"This study reaffirms the positive clinical outcomes associated with using Trabecular Metal technology," commented Cheryl Blanchard, PhD, Zimmer's Senior Vice President, Research and Development, and Chief Scientific Officer. "Unique to Zimmer, Trabecular Metal technology allows for highly porous metal implants with flexibility very similar to cancellous bone."

The study, to be published in the Journal of Arthroplasty, followed 143 patients for up to 10 years post-THA. Findings indicate that Trabecular Metal monoblock implants result in a marked reduction in metallic and polyethylene debris and maximize the area available for bone in-growth. Further, the researchers observed a zero revision rate for aseptic loosening throughout the duration of the study and no incidence of implant migration and no radiographic evidence of gross polyethylene wear as measured digitally with (EBRA) Ein-Bild-Rontgen-Analyse.

"It is important to note that this study addresses concerns that have not been previously well characterized. It provides invaluable information about these mid-term outcomes after total hip arthroplasty and the potential advantages of Trabecular Metal monoblock implants over traditional metal implants," continued Dr. Blanchard.

Trabecular Metal material is a structural biomaterial whose cellular architecture resembles bone and approximates its physical and mechanical properties more closely than other prosthetic materials. The unique, highly porous trabecular configuration is conducive to more normal bone formation and bone in-growth. Trabecular Metal implants are fabricated using elemental tantalum metal and a patented vapor deposition technique that creates a metallic strut configuration resembling cancellous bone with nano-textured surface features. Trabecular Metal Technology is exclusive to Zimmer. Zimmer will showcase an interactive Trabecular Metal Technology Experience at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeon's 2009 Annual Meeting.

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 2008 sales were approximately $4.1 billion. The Company is supported by the efforts of approximately 8,500 employees worldwide.

For more information about Zimmer, visit www.zimmer.com

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. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, our compliance with the Deferred Prosecution Agreement through March 2009 and the Corporate Integrity Agreement through 2012; the impact of our enhanced healthcare compliance global initiatives and business practices on our relationships with customers and consultants, our market share and our overall financial performance; the success of our quality initiatives; the outcome of the informal investigation by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission into Foreign Corrupt Practices Act matters announced in October 2007; price and product competition; changes in customer demand for our products and services caused by demographic changes or other factors; dependence on new product development, technological advances and innovation; shifts in the product category or regional sales mix of our products and services; supply and prices of raw materials and products; control of costs and expenses; our ability to obtain and maintain adequate intellectual property protection; our ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses; our ability to form and implement alliances; challenges relating to changes in and compliance with governmental laws and regulations affecting our U.S. and international businesses, including regulations of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and foreign government regulators and tax obligations and risks; the impact of temporarily suspending U.S. distribution of one of our key hip replacement products; product liability and intellectual property litigation losses; reductions in reimbursement levels from third-party payors and cost-containment efforts of healthcare purchasing organizations; our ability to retain the independent agents and distributors who market our products; changes in general industry and market conditions, including domestic and international growth rates and general domestic and international economic conditions, including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; and the costs of defending or resolving putative class action securities litigation and lawsuits, investigations or other proceedings resulting from our September 2007 settlement with the U.S. government and other matters. For a further 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.

Source: PR Newswire

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