News Release
Zimmer’s NexGen® Complete Knee Solution LPS-Flex Fixed Bearing Knee Accommodates a Higher Degree of Bending for Patients Undergoing Total Knee Replacement
For patients with the ability and desire, the innovative new high– flex prosthetic knee accommodates deep bending for recreational, religious and other day-to-day activities
WARSAW, Ind., May 24 /PRNewswire/ – Zimmer Inc. (NYSE: ZMH) announced today, during National Arthritis Month, that its NexGen Complete Knee Solution LPS-Flex Fixed Knee accommodates a higher range of motion for patients with the ability and desire to perform high flexion activities.
“Patients today are expecting to maintain an active lifestyle after a total knee replacement,” said Giles R. Scuderi, M.D., an orthopaedic surgeon at New York’s Insall Scott Kelly Institute. “The LPS-Flex Fixed Knee offers a new option for those suffering from osteoarthritis to reclaim aspects of their lives on which they place much value. Many hobbies such as gardening and golfing may require high degrees of flexion, or bending, of the knee. In addition, cultural activities, such as kneeling for prayer, sitting cross-legged and squatting, demand frequent deep flexion.
“The key to effectively treating knee problems is early diagnosis,” Scuderi added. “With early diagnosis, and good preoperative flexibility, the Flex Fixed Knee can allow patients to resume many of the physical activities they have come to enjoy, which is an important part of maintaining a desired quality of life.”
Studies show that total knee replacement patients with good pre-operative flexibility will have a higher likelihood of maintaining their flexibility. The Flex Fixed Knee replacement is the first knee specifically designed to safely accommodate deep flexion of up to 155 degrees. Many activities of daily living require this range of motion, such as climbing stairs (75–140 degrees), sitting in a chair and standing up again (90–130 degrees), and squatting (130–150 degrees). Generally, knee implants were designed to accommodate flexion up to 125 degrees. This marked improvement was accomplished in part through research done at the Insall Scott Kelly Institute.
Approximately 21 million Americans suffer from osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease that often follows a history of injury or overuse of a joint. Deterioration of the articular cartilage in the knees, often the result of osteoarthritis, causes bone to rub against bone. That friction causes symptoms such as a feeling of stiffness, moderate to severe discomfort, debilitating pain and eventual loss of motion.
“Zimmer’s mission is to develop clinically successful joint replacements for use by highly skilled orthopaedic surgeons,” said Sheryl Conley, vice president, Global Brand Management and Commercialization for Zimmer. “This enables physicians to provide the most appropriate implant solution for their patients’ individual needs and expectations.”
“Whether the LPS-Flex Fixed Knee is the right treatment option for an individual will be based on a number of considerations,” said Michael A. Kelly, M.D., a founding orthopaedic surgeon of the Insall Scott Kelly Institute. “Such considerations include the person’s activity level, weight, bone quality and if their arthritis is advanced enough for this treatment. Also, patients need to be committed to rehabilitation to attain the full benefits of the recovery.”
Approximately 266,000 total knee replacements are performed each year, and that number is increasing, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. The LPS Flex Fixed Knee is considered to be an option for many of these patients.
Zimmer, based in Warsaw, Indiana, is a worldwide leader in the design, development, manufacture and marketing of reconstructive orthopaedic implants and trauma products. Orthopaedic reconstruction implants restore joint function lost due to disease or trauma in joints such as knees, hips, shoulders and elbows. Trauma products are devices used primarily to reattach or stabilize damaged bone and tissue to support the body’s natural healing process. Zimmer manufactures and markets other products related to orthopaedic surgery. Zimmer was founded in 1927 and has more than 3,600 employees worldwide.
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