First Dynesys Hydroxyapatite-Coated Screws from Zimmer Spine Implanted in the United States and Europe 

(WARSAW, IN) September 25, 2006—Zimmer Holdings, Inc. (NYSE and SWX: ZMH), a leader in the orthopaedics industry, announced today that the first Dynesys® Dynamic Stabilization System cases using hydroxyapatite (HA)-coated screws have been completed in both the United States and Europe. The Dynesys system is intended to provide stabilization of spinal segments as an adjunct to fusion.  The Dynesys system is the first pedicle screw based Dynamic Stabilization system, using polymer based materials, to incorporate an HA-coated screw option. 

Zimmer Spine expects to complete a full release of product in the U.S. and Europe by the end of September and plans to highlight the availability of the HA-coated screw option at the upcoming North American Spine Society (NASS) and Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) meetings in Seattle and Chicago, respectively.

“The Dynesys system has already been a great success for us and provides us with a key component of our growing Spine franchise,” said Ray Elliott, Zimmer Holdings Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer.  “We will continue to provide enhancements to our spine products, such as HA and Zimmer-exclusive Trabecular Metal™ Technology, to further differentiate ourselves in this important market.”

Dr. Hyun Bae, M.D., orthopaedic spine surgeon at Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA and Dr. Christiane Spreuwers, orthopaedic spine surgeon at A.Z. Jan Portaels, Vilvoorde, Belgium were the first implanting surgeons in the U.S. and Europe, respectively.  According to Dr. Bae, "The Dynesys HA-coated screw offers me a new option for my dynamic stabilization patients who would benefit from improved early screw fixation."

HA is a naturally occurring mineral and a major component of bone and teeth.   HA is a well established material and has been widely used in various orthopaedic and spinal applications, including orthopedic bone screws and bone void fillers.  Characteristics of HA coating include accelerated bone on-growth during the early postoperative period for an enhanced screw-bone interface.

With the Dynesys system, Zimmer Spine is a global leader in Dynamic Stabilization.  Having completed over 25,000 cases globally, including over 4,000 in the U.S., Zimmer Spine is committed to continually innovating and expanding its Dynesys product portfolio.

About the Company

Founded in 1927 and headquartered in Warsaw, Indiana, Zimmer is the worldwide #1 pure-play orthopaedic leader in designing, developing, manufacturing and marketing reconstructive and spinal implants, trauma and related orthopaedic surgical products.  Zimmer has operations in more than 24 countries around the world and sells products in more than 100 countries.  Zimmer’s 2005 sales were approximately $3.3 billion.  The Company is supported by the efforts of more than 6,700 employees worldwide.  

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 Visit Zimmer on the worldwide web at www.zimmer.com