Zimmer's Longevity® Highly Crosslinked Polyethylene Demonstrates Long-Term Clinical Success In Study Presented At AAOS Annual Meeting

Zimmer Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: ZMH; SIX: ZMH), a leader in musculoskeletal care, announced that results of an independent study presented at the 2011 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) annual meeting demonstrated long-term clinical success for Longevity® Highly Crosslinked Polyethylene.


The study, by a team from the Massachusetts General Hospital, included radiographic analysis from a 299 patient cohort receiving primary total hip arthroplasties using Zimmer's Durasul® or Longevity Highly Crosslinked Polyethylene liners. It is the largest series and longest follow-up period to date for highly crosslinked polyethylene material. Radiographic results presented in the study indicate very low wear in vivo with no signs of change over time and no signs of periprosthetic osteolysis in the patient cohort.


Zimmer's Longevity Highly Crosslinked Polyethylene is formulated specifically to resist wear under the conditions found in hips and represents a significant scientific advancement in wear reduction. In wear and damage mechanism studies, Longevity Highly Crosslinked Polyethylene consistently resisted oxidation and delamination, thereby decreasing surface wear and subsurface fatigue that can lead to delamination or pitting.


"The results of this study are encouraging and reinforce clinical experience with our Longevity Highly Crosslinked Polyethylene products," said Jeff McCaulley, President, Zimmer Reconstructive. "Today's total hip replacement candidates lead more demanding lives. Due to its reduced wear properties and improved delamination resistance, Longevity Highly Crosslinked Polyethylene represents a clinically-successful solution for these patients."


Source: Zimmer Holdings, Inc