Arthritis and Join Pain
Zimmer Launches Arthritis 411, a Free Interactive Patient Education …
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 8, 2012 — /PRNewswire/ – Zimmer Holdings, Inc. (NYSE and SIX: ZMH), a global leader in musculoskeletal health, today announced the availability of a new patient education application designed for Apple’s iPad tablet. The application, Arthritis 411, will help patients learn more about arthritis pain and explore treatment options, including knee and hip replacement procedures. Arthritis 411 is free and available now in the Apple iTunes store.
According to the World Health Organization, arthritis is a leading cause of disability, affecting an estimated 150 million people globally and more than 27 million Americans. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, there are more than 600,000 knee replacement procedures and 285,000 hip replacement procedures performed each year in the United States alone.
“Because arthritis is a medical condition for which there is presently no cure, patients spend years or even decades searching for information about treatments to manage their pain,” said Charlie Young, Vice President of Zimmer Corporate Marketing. “Arthritis 411 from Zimmer is the first comprehensive, personalized and interactive solution for patients – and their medical professionals – to access constantly updated information to help navigate their treatment options.”
The Arthritis 411 application from Zimmer addresses two critical unmet needs:
- For Patients, Arthritis 411 serves as an interactive, customizable way for patients to explore a variety of videos, images and information about joint pain and treatment options.
- For Medical Professionals, Arthritis 411 provides an unprecedented point of care tool to help primary care physicians explain the causes of joint pain and treatment options; and for surgeons to leverage simple animations and other interactive tools to help patients understand their diagnosis, x-ray images, and surgery and rehabilitation options.
The Arthritis 411 application is a user-friendly and highly-customizable experience. Patients simply enter the site of their pain (example: knee or hip), their age range, and their gender to view a comprehensive array of personalized multi-media content about:
- Arthritis and human anatomy
- Treatment options
- Testimonials from other patients who have undergone similar procedures
- Preparation and recovery strategies
- Other useful information about surgery planning and rehabilitation
The new Zimmer Arthritis 411 application was initially developed for the iPad tablet because the device supports a range of interactive functionality and is widely used in medical practices. Industry analysts estimate that Apple sold more than 45 million iPad tablets in 2011. Future versions of the Arthritis 411 application will be developed for smart phones and other mobile platforms. The Arthritis 411 App is free and available for immediate download via the Apple iTunes Store online, at http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/zimmer-arthritis-411/id496317851?mt=8.
About ZimmerFounded 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 2011 sales were approximately $4.5 billion. The Company is supported by the efforts of more than 8,500 employees worldwide. For more information about Zimmer, visit www.zimmer.com.
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.
Zimmer Launches Arthritis 411, a Free Interactive Patient Education …
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 8, 2012 — /PRNewswire/ – Zimmer Holdings, Inc. (NYSE and SIX: ZMH), a global leader in musculoskeletal health, today announced the availability of a new patient education application designed for Apple’s iPad tablet. The application, Arthritis 411, will help patients learn more about arthritis pain and explore treatment options, including knee and hip replacement procedures. Arthritis 411 is free and available now in the Apple iTunes store.
According to the World Health Organization, arthritis is a leading cause of disability, affecting an estimated 150 million people globally and more than 27 million Americans. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, there are more than 600,000 knee replacement procedures and 285,000 hip replacement procedures performed each year in the United States alone.
“Because arthritis is a medical condition for which there is presently no cure, patients spend years or even decades searching for information about treatments to manage their pain,” said Charlie Young, Vice President of Zimmer Corporate Marketing. “Arthritis 411 from Zimmer is the first comprehensive, personalized and interactive solution for patients – and their medical professionals – to access constantly updated information to help navigate their treatment options.”
The Arthritis 411 application from Zimmer addresses two critical unmet needs:
- For Patients, Arthritis 411 serves as an interactive, customizable way for patients to explore a variety of videos, images and information about joint pain and treatment options.
- For Medical Professionals, Arthritis 411 provides an unprecedented point of care tool to help primary care physicians explain the causes of joint pain and treatment options; and for surgeons to leverage simple animations and other interactive tools to help patients understand their diagnosis, x-ray images, and surgery and rehabilitation options.
The Arthritis 411 application is a user-friendly and highly-customizable experience. Patients simply enter the site of their pain (example: knee or hip), their age range, and their gender to view a comprehensive array of personalized multi-media content about:
- Arthritis and human anatomy
- Treatment options
- Testimonials from other patients who have undergone similar procedures
- Preparation and recovery strategies
- Other useful information about surgery planning and rehabilitation
The new Zimmer Arthritis 411 application was initially developed for the iPad tablet because the device supports a range of interactive functionality and is widely used in medical practices. Industry analysts estimate that Apple sold more than 45 million iPad tablets in 2011. Future versions of the Arthritis 411 application will be developed for smart phones and other mobile platforms. The Arthritis 411 App is free and available for immediate download via the Apple iTunes Store online, at http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/zimmer-arthritis-411/id496317851?mt=8.
About ZimmerFounded 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 2011 sales were approximately $4.5 billion. The Company is supported by the efforts of more than 8,500 employees worldwide. For more information about Zimmer, visit www.zimmer.com.
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.
Zimmer Patient Specific Instruments Offer Personalized Experience For Partial …
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – Zimmer Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: ZMH; SIX: ZMH), a global leader in musculoskeletal health, today announced the availability of personalized surgical cutting guides for partial knee replacement procedures at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons annual meeting in San Francisco, CA.
Partial knee replacement is an option for patients when arthritis affects only one compartment of the knee. Partial knee replacement procedures potentially offer patients a less invasive surgery, less pain, faster recovery, and a more normal feeling knee. Each year, more than fifty thousand patients undergo partial, or unicompartmental, knee replacement procedures in the United States, and this number is expected to grow.
Building on the success of Zimmer® Patient Specific Instruments for the NexGen® Complete Knee and the Gender Solutions® Natural-Knee® replacement systems, Patient Specific Instruments (PSI) are now available for use with the Zimmer® Unicompartmental High Flex Knee System.
“Zimmer Patient Specific Instruments have been used to provide thousands of total knee replacement patients with a personalized surgical plan and procedure,” said Jeff McCaulley, President, Zimmer Reconstructive. “The technology is designed to ensure accurate placement of the knee implant for an optimal fit, feel and function. PSI also helps streamline the surgical procedure by eliminating numerous steps in the conventional knee replacement process, potentially reducing surgery time and increasing operating room efficiency. We are excited to now make this technology available for partial knee replacement procedures.”
Zimmer Patient Specific Instruments utilize MRI technology and pre-operative planning tools to create personalized guides that are tailored to each patient’s unique anatomy. Surgeons can obtain pre-operative views of a patient’s knee to construct a personalized surgical plan, including identifying the precise position and angle of numerous bone cuts. Personalized guides for knee replacement surgery support surgeons in performing accurate and safe procedures.
For more information about Zimmer Patient Specific Instruments technology, visit the company at Booth 519 at the 2012 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons annual meeting in San Francisco, or go to www.zimmer.com.
About Zimmer
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 2011 sales were approximately $4.5 billion. The Company is supported by the efforts of more than 8,500 employees worldwide. For more information about Zimmer, visit www.zimmer.com.
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.
Ultrasound makes arthritis evaluation and treatment quicker and more accurate – News
Ultrasound is transforming the way arthritis is diagnosed and treated, making evaluation and treatment quicker and more accurate. The new approach is dubbed fast arthritis sonographic evaluation and treatment, or FAST, by rheumatologists at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center who are leading its development.
Traditionally, doctors evaluated joint inflammation manually using their fingers or with a needle to take a sample of joint fluid. With an ultrasound machine, they immediately have a clear picture of the affected joints and tendons-and while they are in motion. The result is less need for needle biopsies, X-rays and other testing. In addition, research has shown that ultrasound improves the accuracy of procedures to reduce joint inflammation and the pain it causes. It also gives patients visual evidence of the progress they are making, helping them stay compliant with their treatment plan.
Early diagnosis of arthritis is important because it can prevent joint damage and disability, says Dr. Dimitrios Pappas, a rheumatologist at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center and assistant professor of medicine at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. “Even minor joint symptoms that continue over a week should be evaluated. As the name suggests, our FAST ultrasound clinics are designed to get patients evaluated and on the road to recovery quickly and without unnecessary testing and treatments.”
What Is Arthritis and How Is It Treated?
Arthritis comprises more than 100 different rheumatic diseases and conditions, the most common of which is osteoarthritis. Other frequently occurring forms of arthritis include rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, fibromyalgia and gout. Common symptoms include pain, aching, stiffness and swelling in or around the joints. Some forms of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, can affect multiple organs and cause widespread symptoms. Patients can manage their arthritis through a physician-supervised program that may include medication, physical activity and weight loss. Other treatments include joint aspiration to relieve pressure, steroid injections and surgical procedures.
Source: NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center
Article source: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20120207/Ultrasound-makes-arthritis-evaluation-and-treatment-quicker-and-more-accurate.aspx
Ultrasound makes arthritis evaluation and treatment quicker and more accurate – News
Ultrasound is transforming the way arthritis is diagnosed and treated, making evaluation and treatment quicker and more accurate. The new approach is dubbed fast arthritis sonographic evaluation and treatment, or FAST, by rheumatologists at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center who are leading its development.
Traditionally, doctors evaluated joint inflammation manually using their fingers or with a needle to take a sample of joint fluid. With an ultrasound machine, they immediately have a clear picture of the affected joints and tendons-and while they are in motion. The result is less need for needle biopsies, X-rays and other testing. In addition, research has shown that ultrasound improves the accuracy of procedures to reduce joint inflammation and the pain it causes. It also gives patients visual evidence of the progress they are making, helping them stay compliant with their treatment plan.
Early diagnosis of arthritis is important because it can prevent joint damage and disability, says Dr. Dimitrios Pappas, a rheumatologist at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center and assistant professor of medicine at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. “Even minor joint symptoms that continue over a week should be evaluated. As the name suggests, our FAST ultrasound clinics are designed to get patients evaluated and on the road to recovery quickly and without unnecessary testing and treatments.”
What Is Arthritis and How Is It Treated?
Arthritis comprises more than 100 different rheumatic diseases and conditions, the most common of which is osteoarthritis. Other frequently occurring forms of arthritis include rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, fibromyalgia and gout. Common symptoms include pain, aching, stiffness and swelling in or around the joints. Some forms of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, can affect multiple organs and cause widespread symptoms. Patients can manage their arthritis through a physician-supervised program that may include medication, physical activity and weight loss. Other treatments include joint aspiration to relieve pressure, steroid injections and surgical procedures.
Source: NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center