Zimmer Biomet: Redesigning the Total Ankle Experience
Redesigning the Total Ankle Experience
Helping users take the first step with confidence and simplicity
How do people recover with confidence?
CONTEXT
When you’re just beginning the recovery process after Total Ankle Replacement, it can feel overwhelming—especially when support materials are scattered, generalized, or not tailored to the actual implant.
While Zimmer Biomet’s surgical tools and implants are trusted by surgeons, patients often leave the hospital with stacked paperwork, generic PT handouts, and no clear visual of where they are in recovery. That creates emotional friction—leading to inconsistent rehab, unneeded follow-up calls, and anxiety about healing timelines.
In this case study, I aimed to answer how Zimmer Biomet can better support the post-op experience by building a structured, visual recovery system that enhances clarity, reduces emotional uncertainty, and helps both patients and surgeons feel more confident—every step of the way.
“If we design a post-op recovery experience that visually maps healing, delivers phase-based movement prompts, and allows for patient-surgeon feedback loops, then patients will feel more confident in their recovery and surgeons will see improved compliance and outcomes—because both will have more clarity and connection throughout the process.”
HYPOTHESIS
Where is the orthopedic + digital recovery market headed?
THE MARKET
The future of orthopedic care isn’t just hardware—it’s hybrid.
The Joint Reconstruction Devices Market is projected to reach $26.1B by 2030, with a global CAGR of 4.3% from 2024 to 2030. This signals steady growth in surgical innovation and implant demand—especially in lower extremity procedures like total ankle replacements.
But while hardware leads in reliability, the Digital Health Market is surging ahead in user engagement and scalability. It’s expected to hit $288.6B by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 22.2%. The implication? The companies that integrate physical recovery with digital tools will shape the next generation of orthopedic success.
Zimmer Biomet is perfectly positioned to lead this evolution—by expanding the impact of its trusted Total Ankle implants into a structured, scalable digital recovery system.
Sources: Grand View Research, Grand View Research
Who are the users driving this growth?
THE AUDIENCE
The growth in joint reconstruction procedures—especially in younger and more active populations—has created two primary user segments: those navigating post-op recovery for the first time, and experienced patients or surgeons seeking smarter, more efficient tools.
As expectations around care continue to rise, both surgeons and patients now demand experiences that are intuitive, personalized, and recovery-aware—but few tools meet those needs across the entire healing timeline.
Surgeon Users
Roles: Orthopedic surgeons (foot & ankle focused), PAs, and surgical coordinators
Attitudes: Value clinical control, efficiency, and patient satisfaction
Personas:
- Surgeons seeking reliable outcomes without added workflow
- Providers wanting post-op insight without managing more apps
- Teams coordinating care across in-clinic and remote settings
Patient Users
Ages: 40–70+ (growing segment under 50 due to sports injuries)
Attitudes: Want clarity, structure, and trust in their recovery journey
Personas:
- First-time joint replacement patients seeking reassurance
- Active adults eager to return to mobility quickly
- Older adults confused by inconsistent or outdated recovery instructions
What are the pain points that these users need addressed?
USER INSIGHTS
Patients feel overwhelmed after surgery
Without a structured way to track their healing or understand what “normal progress” looks like, patients often over-rely on Google, skip PT milestones, or call their surgeon for reassurance.
Patients don’t know what’s normal
Most patients aren’t trained to recognize what’s expected during joint replacement recovery.
They may think swelling or pain indicates something is “wrong,” when it could be normal for their recovery phase. Or, they might underreport stiffness that could lead to complications. Without visual benchmarks or guided feedback, they feel uncertain—and sometimes ashamed to ask.
Surgeons want insight, not more apps
They don’t want to manage another dashboard—but they do want to know which patients are falling behind, skipping PT, or at risk of readmission. The lack of real-time adherence data makes it hard to intervene early, even when the tools exist.
How do patients and surgeons begin the recovery journey?
USER JOURNEY
In general, both patients and surgeons follow a post-op pathway that relies on discharge instructions, in-clinic visits, and third-party PT resources.
The key difference lies in how guided, personalized, and insight-driven the recovery experience is—and how much mental energy it demands from users during a time of vulnerability.
Since Zimmer Biomet leads with implants, we should consider how digital recovery platforms could influence post-op experience.
THE MARKETPLACE
Hinge Health
Advantages
Strong market presence and payer integration
Focus on musculoskeletal recovery and chronic pain
Personalized PT programs with virtual coaching
Risks / Disadvantages
Limited ankle-specific protocols
Designed for general MSK pain, not surgical recovery
Lacks direct surgeon integration or implant-matching
PeerWell
Advantages
Pre- and post-op education flow
Tracks pain, mood, and physical function
Easy onboarding and hospital partnerships
Risks / Disadvantages
One-size-fits-all recovery templates
No implant-specific guidance
Minimal surgeon-side engagement after discharge
YouTube + Generic PT Resources
Advantages
High accessibility and low barrier to entry
Wide range of movement demos and recovery stories
Risks / Disadvantages
Inconsistent quality and safety
No medical oversight or implant relevance
May confuse or mislead patients during critical phases
BIG TAKEAWAYS
BIG TAKEAWAYS
Zimmer Biomet patients and surgeons are very similar to users of other orthopedic and digital health platforms—but there are key gaps Zimmer is uniquely positioned to fill.
They're aligned in goal: Patients want reassurance, structure, and real healing—not just instructions. Surgeons want outcomes and efficiency—not more friction. But today’s recovery experience often delivers confusion and inconsistency instead.
They're used to traditional PT and clinic models—but these lack implant-specific guidance and emotional clarity. The result? Patients are unsure what’s normal, and surgeons lose visibility into what’s actually happening between visits.
The orthopedic and digital health markets are growing fast—but few platforms combine implant confidence with system-level recovery design. Zimmer Biomet can lead here—by creating solutions that close the post-op gap and reinforce their brand promise beyond the OR.
Zimmer Biomet already has clinical trust, surgical expertise, and rep networks. By extending that into a scalable, structured recovery system, it can deepen outcomes, increase satisfaction, and differentiate from implant-only competitors.
TL;DR: Zimmer Biomet users want recovery confidence, not just surgical precision.
Delivering a structured, emotionally aware healing system is Zimmer’s opportunity to lead.
Increase patient adherence and surgical outcome confidence by introducing implant-specific, milestone-guided digital recovery into the Total Ankle experience.
THE GOAL
What should be included in the MVP?
FEATURE PRIORITIZATION & MVP DEFINITION
For a successful pilot of structured recovery in Total Ankle patients, the following user stories are required to build:
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Patients need a clear visual of where they are in their journey (e.g., Phase 1: swelling, Phase 2: mobility) to reduce confusion and anxiety post-surgery.
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If a patient is in Phase 2, they should receive guided dorsiflexion or balance tasks—not general ankle stretches. This makes the plan safer and easier to follow.
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A simple daily check-in for pain, sleep, or swelling helps patients feel seen and flags issues early for providers.
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This ensures the content engine delivers specific guidance matched to implant type and healing window.
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A light-touch dashboard view with alerts for non-compliance, slow progress, or worsening symptoms keeps care efficient without adding admin burden.
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This includes mymobility, patient portals, or discharge workflows already used across facilities.
What options do we have to introduce guided recovery into the Total Ankle journey?
SOLUTIONS EXPLORED
1. Scheduled Recovery Mapping
Patients complete an initial post-op check-in (or guided onboarding at discharge) and receive a structured recovery timeline for the next 6–8 weeks.
Path Types:
Visual Recovery Timeline
Weekly Implant-Based Protocol
Fulfillment Options:
Implant-Paired Engine: Once a patient’s implant and surgical approach are recorded, the system generates a recovery sequence with suggested exercises, education, and rest guidance personalized by week (e.g., Phase 1: Elevation → Phase 2: Mobility).
Clinical Team Templates: Zimmer Biomet’s medical content team defines recovery tracks for various implants and patient types (e.g., “High-Risk Protocol,” “Accelerated Mobility Plan”).
Delivery Method: Patients receive daily prompts via app or SMS—reducing drop-off and building confidence at every stage.
2. On-Demand Recovery Support
Patients report how they feel that day (e.g., pain level, stiffness, confidence), and receive recommended tools or exercises in the moment.
Path Types:
Real-Time Recovery Aid
Symptom-Based Exercise Suggestion
Fulfillment Options:
Instant Recovery Suggestion: After a 1–question prompt (e.g., “How does your ankle feel today?”), the app recommends a tool like “gentle toe curl,” “ankle pumps,” or “try elevation again.”
Quick Action Tiles: Dashboard tiles like “For Pain,” “For Stiffness,” or “For Fear of Movement” provide immediate relief options.
Feedback Loop: After completing a task, patients can reflect: “Did this help?”—providing feedback to improve recommendations over time.
Which recovery delivery model works best across core product vectors?
A Daily Dynamic Recovery User Path, personalized through medical logic and AI-supported adaptation, offers the best blend of patient trust, business impact, and surgeon-aligned value—while minimizing manual effort and maximizing implant-specific accuracy.
It guides without overwhelming, personalizes without complexity, and scales without compromising care quality.
EVALUATING SOLUTIONS
Phase-Based Healing
FINAL SOLUTION
Personalized by Procedure
Patients begin with a guided onboarding experience tailored to their Total Ankle implant, recovery timeline, and physical limitations—eliminating confusion and guesswork.
Guided, Not Overwhelmed
Instead of sifting through PDFs or generic PT handouts, patients follow a structured path of movements, tips, and visual milestones based on their current phase (e.g., Phase 1: swelling → Phase 2: mobility).
Accessible Anytime
Whether patients need gentle ankle circles at 6 a.m. or reassurance on post-op pain at 10 p.m., the digital companion meets them where they are—offering both real-time support and scheduled recovery prompts.
Patients reflect daily on what’s working and how they feel. Surgeons and clinical teams can track this data to intervene only when necessary—reducing complications and deepening trust.
Designed for Progress
What would the User Experience look like?
Right after surgery or during discharge, patients are guided into the app with a short, friendly setup. They’re introduced to their implant type, what to expect in the coming weeks, and how the app will support them daily.
Smooth Post-Op Onboarding
Visual Recovery Timeline
Patients see exactly what phase they’re in—like “Phase 1” or “Phase 2”—with a clear path forward. This timeline updates as they check in, helping them track progress and stay engaged.
Each phase unlocks tailored movement videos, reminders, and education. For example, early phases might suggest elevation and ankle pumps, while later phases introduce balance training or strength recovery.
Phase-Specific Guidance
Patients complete a 30-second daily check-in tracking pain, sleep, stiffness, or mood. The app responds with encouragement or adjusted movement prompts. Surgeons can review insights without needing a separate platform.
Daily Check-In & Feedback
Phased rollout of the Zimmer Biomet Total Ankle Recovery Companion
LAUNCH & GTM STRATEGY
We will start the phased rollout with a targeted pilot program. Throughout the pilot, we’ll operate in a “learn and iterate” mode—gathering insights from both patients and providers to refine the recovery experience.
Once the digital companion is validated and optimized for real-world use, we’ll expand visibility and access across key markets, eventually integrating it into Zimmer Biomet’s broader surgical care ecosystem.
Who is involved?
Product | Engineering | Clinical Education | Sales | Medical Affairs
This rollout requires collaboration across product, clinical content teams, digital engineering, and sales enablement to align goals and measure outcomes
Education
Equip reps, clinicians, and discharge nurses with simple onboarding scripts and videos. Create email templates, in-app tips, and explainer content that help normalize digital recovery tracking.
MEASURING SUCCESS
Pilot Metrics for the Zimmer Biomet Total Ankle Recovery Companion
NORTH STAR METRIC
Recovery Companion Sessions Per Patient Per Week
If successful, we should see a consistent number of recovery companion sessions per patient per week—indicating that patients are actively engaging with their healing plan, building trust in the app, and staying on track with their recovery timeline.
Onboarding Completion Rate
Daily Check-In Participation
Phase-Specific Tool Usage (e.g., Elevation, Ankle Circles)
LEADING INDICATORS
LAGGING INDICATORS
Missed Follow-Up Appointments
Unplanned Readmissions (related to implant recovery)
Drop-Off After Week 2
Overuse of General PT YouTube Content
High Volume of In-App Browsing Without Action
Repeated “Help Me Understand” Requests (indicates confusion)
One potential risk is patients feeling overwhelmed or uncertain if the tool’s suggestions don’t match their expectations. These metrics help flag disengagement before it becomes abandonment.
COUNTER METRICS
Tool Recommendation Error Rate
No Activity After Check-In
Mismatch Between Reported Symptom & Suggested Tool
These help ensure the recovery engine is functioning as intended. For example, if someone reports stiffness but gets no stretching or movement suggestion, the algorithm needs refinement.
MONITORING METRICS
Final Thoughts
Final Thoughts
SUMMARY
In this case study, the core objective was to explore whether integrating a structured, implant-specific recovery companion into the Zimmer Biomet Total Ankle experience could improve patient adherence, confidence, and healing outcomes—while reducing burden on surgeons and clinical staff.
My initial hypothesis suggested that if Zimmer Biomet provided patients with a clear, phase-based digital guide—personalized to their implant, symptoms, and stage of recovery—then patients would feel more supported, engaged, and less likely to fall off track. Currently, most post-op recovery relies on printed discharge instructions, generic PT, or passive follow-ups—leaving many patients confused or unsure if their healing is progressing as expected.
While other digital health tools exist, most focus on generalized MSK pain or chronic conditions and lack implant-level specificity or emotional design. By embedding a recovery system rooted in clear visuals, short check-ins, and phase-specific exercises, Zimmer Biomet can become the first implant company to truly own the full healing journey—not just the surgery.
As a Product Manager at Zimmer Biomet, I would recommend launching a focused pilot through 3–5 orthopedic partners. The north star metric would be Recovery Companion Sessions Per Patient Per Week, supported by check-in completion, patient satisfaction scores, and reduction in unplanned provider follow-ups. If successful, this would validate a new model of post-op care—one that is structured, emotional-aware, and truly implant-integrated.
WHAT I LEARNED ABOUT MYSELF
This project taught me that I’m not just passionate about building features — I’m driven to build systems that reduce confusion and restore trust. Working on the Total Ankle recovery experience pushed me to think beyond UI or flow charts and focus on how people feel when they’re uncertain, in pain, or healing.
I realized that I naturally lean toward clarity, empathy, and structure. I kept asking:
“Where do patients feel lost?”
“Where does the system expect too much from them?”
“How do we make recovery feel doable — even on their hardest days?”
This case study deepened my belief that the most meaningful products don’t just deliver outcomes — they help people feel safe showing up for themselves. That’s where engagement really begins.
It also reminded me how much I value cross-functional collaboration — translating between surgeons, engineers, and designers to build something cohesive and human. I enjoy being the bridge between technical feasibility and emotional design.
Above all, I learned that my strength as a product manager lies in creating guidance when the user doesn’t know what to ask for yet — and doing it in a way that feels grounded, compassionate, and clear.