Zimmer Introduces First Porous Metal Interbody Implant for Lumbar Spine in the United States

WARSAW, Ind., June 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Zimmer Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: ZMH; SIX: ZMH), a global leader in musculoskeletal health, today introduced the TM Ardis™ Interbody System, the first application of a porous metal implant with an interbody indication for the lumbar spine in the United States.  The TM Ardis System extends the applications of Zimmer's proprietary Trabecular Metal ™ Technology, which is currently used across the Company's portfolio, including in the cervical spine.

"Products like the TM Ardis System with Trabecular Metal Technology align with Zimmer's strategy to develop innovative technologies that are designed to restore patient mobility, alleviate pain and improve the quality of life for patients around the world," said Steve Healy, President, Zimmer Spine.  "Our objective is to create personalized therapies, procedures and implants to improve patient outcomes while lowering healthcare costs."

Trabecular Metal Technology is exclusive to Zimmer and displays elasticity properties similar to cancellous bone, supporting boney in-growth between the implant and the bone which promotes biologic fixation.  Leveraging the unique properties of this exciting material, Zimmer designed the TM Ardis Implant with a large porous surface area available for boney in-growth which supports biologic fixation and more even load distribution which has the potential to decrease the risk of stress shielding.

Trabecular Metal Material is a highly-porous material that is similar to the structure, function and physiology of trabecular bone.  No other porous metal material is supported by the amount of peer-reviewed, published clinical data of Trabecular Metal Technology and its history of clinical success in reconstructive orthopaedic applications.  This novel material supports boney in-growth, promoting biologic fixation, and has a stiffness similar to cancellous bone.

The TM Ardis Implant features an updated, anatomical shape which allows the implant to be inserted into the disc space more easily. 

The TM Ardis Interbody System has one of the most extensive size offerings on the market to allow the implant to more closely match a variety of patient anatomies.  The TM Ardis Interbody System is available in 40 sizes, with implants available in three lengths, two widths, and eight heights.

The TM Ardis Interbody System is indicated for use with autogenous bone graft as an intervertebral body fusion device at one or two contiguous levels in the lumbosacral region (L2-S1) in the treatment of degenerative disc disease (DDD) with up to Grade 1 spondylolisthesis or retrolisthesis at the involved level(s).  DDD is defined as discogenic back pain with degeneration of the disc confirmed by history and radiographic studies.  Patients with previous non-fusion spinal surgery at involved level may be treated with the device.  Patients should be skeletally mature and have had six months of non-operative treatment.  The TM Ardis Interbody System is implanted using a posterior or transforaminal approach and is intended to be used singly or in pairs with supplemental fixation.

About Zimmer
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 2011 sales were approximately $4.5 billion.  The Company is supported by the efforts of more than 8,500 employees worldwide.  For more information, please visit our website at 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.  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.

ZS-SA0602 Rev A per DCR 9712

©2012 Zimmer Spine, Inc.

SOURCE Zimmer Holdings, Inc.