What distinguishes the OrthoGrid deal from typical medtech bolt-ons is its structural position within Zimmer's transformation plan. The company is rebuilding its sales infrastructure around direct reps — a shift that makes owned, differentiated technology more valuable than commodity hardware. Absorbing AI surgical guidance internalizes a capability that salespeople can demonstrate in the OR, turning software into a selling argument for implants. Stryker has been executing a comparable strategy, and has created competitive pressure that Zimmer can no longer…