Zimmer Highlights Vivacit-E® Vitamin E Advanced Bearing Technology at 2013 AAOS Annual Meeting

CHICAGO, March 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Zimmer Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: ZMH; SIX: ZMH), a global leader in musculoskeletal health, is highlighting Vivacit-E® Advanced Bearing Technology with Vitamin E at the 2013 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons annual meeting. Vivacit-E material is formulated with antioxidant protection to deliver the longest lasting bearing material for orthopaedic implants. Zimmer's proprietary manufacturing process results in an advanced highly cross-linked polyethylene material that delivers unmatched oxidative stability, ultra-low wear rates and exceptional strength.  Zimmer first introduced Vivacit-E technology in hip replacements, and the material is now also available in unicompartmental knee replacements and Persona ^TM The Personalized Knee System. 

It is widely understood in orthopaedics that oxidation is a primary cause of articular surface decay, which can increase wear leading to osteolysis and implant failure.  The Vitamin E incorporated in Vivacit-E material is a powerful antioxidant that quenches harmful free radicals to prevent oxidative material degradation.  Vivacit-E technology prevents oxidative aging through an advanced grafting process that covalently binds the Vitamin E into the polymer chain.  

"Vivacit-E technology is the next great material science innovation from Zimmer.  This advanced bearing material is engineered with antioxidant protection for exceptional wear resistance and long-term oxidative stability," said Jeff McCaulley, President of Zimmer Reconstructive.  "With exciting applications already in hips and knees, Vivacit-E material will become a platform technology across Zimmer's portfolio of products, much like our Trabecular Metal ^TM Technology."

In comparative in-vitro wear tests, after 50 million cycles, Vivacit-E hip replacement liners demonstrated a 95% reduction in wear when compared to conventional polyethylene liners tested to 5 million cycles.  In knee replacements, Vivacit-E material demonstrated a 96% reduction in wear compared to conventional polyethylene when tested to 5 million cycles.  Extensive testing demonstrated Vivacit-E technology also retains its improved tensile strength and does not elute Vitamin E, unlike first generation Vitamin E materials.  After accelerated aging to 16 times longer than the industry standard, Vivacit-E material maintained its physical properties and oxidative stability.

For more information about Vivacit-E Vitamin E Advanced Bearing Technology, visit Zimmer at Booth 529 at the 2013 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons annual meeting in Chicago, or go to www.zimmer.com.

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 2012 sales were approximately $4.5 billion.  The Company is supported by the efforts of more than 8,500 employees worldwide.

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.

SOURCE Zimmer Holdings, Inc.