Zimmer Touts “Once-In-A-Lifetime” Hip Replacement

Zimmer Holdings, Inc. says it has the only laboratory tested hip replacement technology that mimics the number of steps a person will take during their lifetime following hip replacement surgery.

While not exactly a warranty, Zimmer said on August 22, 2014, that it believes its Vivacit-E Vitamin E highly crosslinked polyethylene (HXPE) liner is the “first hip replacement technology to demonstrate a lifetime of wear performance based on new material advancements and unprecedented testing.”

“Forever Hip”

In announcing the launch of a nationwide “Forever Hip” campaign, the company said ongoing laboratory testing of the liners has surpassed more than 34 years of walking activity. The liners, according to the company, continue to demonstrate ultra-low long-term wear properties under typical conditions and reduce one of the leading barriers to long-term hip replacement success. “Based on this extensive research, Vivacit-E Vitamin E HXPE is now the only hip replacement technology laboratory tested to mimic the number of walking steps a patient will typically take during their lifetime following hip replacement surgery.”

“Once-In-A-Lifetime”

“Surgeons can now provide a once in a lifetime hip replacement technology for their most demanding patients, ” said Matt Monaghan, senior vice president of Global Hips and Reconstructive Research for Zimmer. “This industry leading technology can potentially help patients avoid pain and lost time due to re-operation, as well as lessen the economic burdens that can strain patients and hospitals.”

Each year, the company estimates that more than 330, 000 Americans have experienced relief and restored mobility through total hip replacement. As an increasingly large number of these patients receive hip replacements at a younger age, this new technology can be combined with Zimmer’s other technologies to create a high-demand construct for the younger and more active patient.

Not Proven On People

So as not to get the FDA and trial lawyers too wound up, the company cautions that the Vivacit-E Vitamin E HXPE has been “evaluated for 80 million walking cycles of simulated wear testing in ongoing laboratory testing. Results assume a hip replacement patient will have a life expectancy of 34 years following hip replacement surgery and walk up to 2.2 million steps per year. The results of laboratory testing have not been proven to predict actual performance in people.”

Now, how about that warranty?