Zimmer Holdings showcases Continuum Acetabular Cup System at AAOS 2010

Zimmer Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: ZMH; SIX: ZMH), a leader in musculoskeletal care, today showcased its recently introduced Continuum Acetabular Cup System at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) annual meeting.  The Continuum Cup combines the best of Zimmer's proven hip technologies – Trabecular Metal™ Technology, Metasul® Metal-on-Metal technology, BIOLOX® delta and Longevity® Highly Crosslinked Polyethylene – with new innovations in what is now the company's most versatile acetabular cup system.  

Candidates for hip replacement surgery represent a wide array of ages and lifestyle demands. Different patient circumstances require surgeons to consider a variety of implant bearing surfaces to accommodate their patients' needs.  The Continuum Cup gives surgeons the option of choosing between metal or Highly Crosslinked Polyethylene bearing surfaces, and metal or ceramic heads to match a range of patient lifestyles.  

"By creating a system with multiple cup liner options in a range of sizes and configurations, surgeons are able to select the cup and bearing surface which best meet each patient's specific needs, creating a more personalized fit," said Jeff McCaulley, President, Zimmer Reconstructive.  "In combination with our comprehensive stem portfolio, including our Fitmore® Hip Stem and our M/L Taper with Kinectiv® technology, Zimmer offers surgeons tremendous flexibility and confidence to personalize the implant solution."

Continuum shells are made with Zimmer's proprietary Trabecular Metal Technology, a highly porous tantalum material that supports initial implant stability and fixation.  Trabecular Metal Technology is conducive to more normal bone formation and bone in-growth, decreased stress-shielding, and the potential for improved long-term implant fixation.  The Metasul liner incorporates Zimmer's Metasul Metal-on-Metal technology, which has more than 20 years of clinical history.  Longevity, the principal technology behind the polyethylene liner, is highly resistant to wear and aging and has more than 10 years of clinical experience.