Zimmer Launches New Minimally Invasive Hip Procedure

Zimmer Holdings, Inc. (NYSE and SWX: ZMH), a worldwide leader in the orthopaedics industry, announced today that it will launch a new procedure for minimally invasive joint replacement that was developed to expand patient benefits and geographic reach beyond currently available techniques. The procedure is being demonstrated to orthopaedic surgeons attending the AmericanAcademy of Orthopaedic Surgeons meeting, which began on February 23, 2005, in Washington, D.C.

The Zimmer Minimally Invasive Solutions™ (MIS™) Anterolateral Hip Replacement Procedure was developed in conjunction with Heinz Röttinger, MD at the Orthopädische Chirurgie München in Munich, Germany. Dr. Röttinger has completed over 600 cases, while over 800 procedures have been performed worldwide. The word “anterolateral” describes the surgeon’s approach to the hip joint, which allows the patient to lie on their side during the surgical procedure. This patient position is widely used and accepted throughout the global orthopaedic community, making this procedure attractive to a large base of orthopaedic surgeons worldwide.

“This new, single-incision, anterolateral technique is the next step in our drive to make minimally invasive joint replacement surgery accessible to a greater number of surgeons and patients,” said Ray Elliott, Chairman, President and CEO. “We believe it will appeal to surgeons around the globe as it addresses an expanded range of surgeon philosophies and preferences.”

Zimmer worked with surgeons to develop and refine both the surgical technique, which involves weaving through the patient’s muscles instead of cutting down through them, and the specialized instruments which are required to perform the procedure. The anterolateral technique is one of several new expansions of Zimmer’s platform technologies. A new primary hip stem featuring Trabecular Metal™ Technology for biologic fixation will be released in limited quantities in mid-2005 along with instrumentation compatible with all Zimmer MIS hip procedures.

Compared to standard hip replacement surgery, potential benefits for patients of established Zimmer MIS procedures include:

less tissue trauma;
faster and less painful rehabilitation;
smaller incisions and less scarring; and
a shorter hospital stay – 1-2 days, rather than 3-5 days for standard surgery, with some patients able to go home in less than 24 hours.

“I believe surgeons worldwide will find this procedure to be less technically demanding than other true MIS procedures, and they will be pleased to find that there are Zimmer instruments available for implant designs preferred by surgeons around the world,” said Dr. Röttinger. “Since I first began using this approach, I have found that my patients are able to return to activities of daily living without the traditional pain and rehabilitation time seen with other procedures.”

Zimmer says it will immediately begin to offer training in the new approach at all Zimmer Institute locations worldwide. The Zimmer Institute provides hands-on training for orthopaedic surgeons through its hub location at Zimmer’s headquarters in Warsaw, Indiana, and at other locations in North America, Europe and Asia.

Also see; medical treatment for hip replacement.

About The Author:

Ray Elliott is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.hip-replacement-care.com. Information on hip replacement; the cause, diagnosis, symptoms, surgery and treatment for recovery and rebuilding your body.