Zimmer Biomet Unveils New Foot and Ankle Solutions for Complex Trauma Cases

Zimmer Biomet Holdings Inc. and Paragon 28, a wholly owned subsidiary, have launched two solutions for complex foot and ankle trauma, specifically for addressing challenging pilon fractures and hindfoot injuries. The Gorilla Pilon Fusion Plating System and Phantom TTC Trauma Nail expand the company’s foot and ankle trauma portfolio.

“The launches of these two products underscore Zimmer Biomet’s commitment to developing innovations that help surgeons safely and efficiently address complex clinical problems,” said Albert DaCosta, global president of Foot and Ankle, Zimmer Biomet. “By bringing these new solutions to market, we can offer physicians additional technologies to address patient populations that have historically had few reliable options.”

Gorilla Pilon Fusion Plating System
The Gorilla Pilon Fusion Plating System offers a solution for primary tibiotalar fusion in patients with pilon fractures. These fractures account for approximately 7% to 10% of all tibial fractures, with a small but clinically significant group of patients requiring primary ankle fusion due to severe comminution or articular surface loss.¹

Jointly developed with orthopedic trauma foot and ankle surgeons, the system delivers reliable dual-column fixation for severe or malunited tibial pilon fractures. Its anatomically-contoured plates, precision-engineered instrumentation, and streamlined workflow enable stable fixation and fusion in a single procedure. Dual-plating constructs—available in various lengths—feature contoured anterolateral and medial options, optimized for both open and percutaneous approaches. Type II anodized plates are biomechanically engineered with region-specific thickness and tapered ends to reduce soft tissue disruption. Additional features include advanced percutaneous guides, long-shaft plate designs to span metaphyseal comminution and comprehensive joint preparation instrumentation.

“This is only the second plate on the market specifically designed for primary ankle fusion in the setting of comminuted pilon fractures,” stated Dr. Clayton Bettin, division chief of Hospital Orthopedics at Campbell Clinic in Memphis, Tenn. “The Gorilla Pilon Fusion System offers a lower-profile option that is anatomically contoured and enables stable fixation across both columns. It’s a major step forward in treating these otherwise devastating injuries.”

Phantom TTC Trauma Nail
Building on the proven Phantom TTC Nail platform, the Phantom TTC Trauma Nail provides expanded lengths (150 mm, 300 mm, and 350 mm) and fixation capabilities to manage more demanding trauma cases, including complex pilon fractures requiring tibiotalocalcaneal fusion.

“This new nail allows me to leverage the same trusted Phantom platform I use in elective cases, now adapted for trauma indications,” commented Dr. Max Michalski, a foot and ankle orthopedic surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

The Phantom TTC Trauma Nail’s key features include:

• PRECISION Guide Technology for consistent, accurate nail placement
• Integrated internal compression mechanism delivering up to 8 mm of controlled compression
• Advanced threaded peg options in Ø7.2 mm and Ø5.0 mm sizes with multiple targeting configurations
• Right and left-specific configurations and diameters (Ø10.0, Ø11.5, Ø13.0 mm) for tailored fixation

Both the Gorilla Pilon Fusion Plating System and the Phantom TTC Trauma Nail are currently available in the United States.

Zimmer Biomet’s product portfolio is designed to maximize mobility and improve health. The company strives to seamlessly transform the patient experience through innovative products and integrated digital and robotic technologies that leverage data, data analytics, and artificial intelligence. Zimmer Biomet conducts operations in more than 25 countries and sells its solutions in 100-plus countries.

Reference
¹ Mauffrey, C., Vasario, G., Battiston, B., Lewis, C., Beazley, J., & Seligson, D. (2011). Tibial pilon fractures: a review of incidence, diagnosis, treatment, and complications. Acta orthopaedica Belgica, 77(4), 432–440.