dj Orthopedics to Distribute Through Nippon Sigmax, Japan's Largest Distributor of Orthopedic Bracing Products

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 15, 2003--dj Orthopedics Inc. (NYSE:DJO), a designer, manufacturer and marketer of products and services for the orthopedic sports medicine market, today announced an exclusive distribution agreement with Tokyo-based Nippon Sigmax Co., Ltd. (Sigmax), Japan's largest distributor of healthcare bracing products for the orthopedic sports medicine market.

The agreement commences in January of 2003. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Sigmax will distribute dj Orthopedics' DonJoy and ProCare rigid and soft bracing product lines to over 5,200 hospitals and 16,000 clinics utilizing a sales channel of more than 1,000 medical device and orthotics and prosthetics dealers located in
Japan.

The Japanese market for rigid and soft bracing orthopedics products is estimated at approximately $54 million annually. Sigmax is Japan's current market share leader in non-rigid functional knee bracing, soft bracing products and cold therapy devices, and is focused on earning the number-one market share position for rigid knee bracing products through dj Orthopedics' DonJoy brand.

"Japan is an extremely attractive market with strong growth potential for DonJoy and ProCare branded products. Having Sigmax as a formidable distribution partner is an important strategy for growing our international sales in 2003," said Les Cross, president and chief executive officer of dj Orthopedics. "At the same time, Sigmax will benefit from the global strength of the DonJoy brand, backed by the company's ongoing commitment to product development that should enable Sigmax to quickly introduce new products and technologies into the Japanese market. Both companies share the goal of bringing greater value to Japan's orthopedic surgeon community."

"We are very excited about starting this new partnership with dj Orthopedics, who is the acknowledged leader in this growing market arena and is dedicated to bringing state-of-the art products to their customers. The combination of their complete product lines and our nationwide sales force will enable us to bring best values and benefits to surgeons and patients for the prevention and treatment of orthopedic injuries," said Kozo Suzuki, president & CEO of Nippon Sigmax.

About Nippon Sigmax

Nippon Sigmax is one of the leading orthopedic sports medicine companies specializing in the design, manufacture and marketing of non-surgical products in Japan. Many of the company's product lines are market share leaders including non-rigid orthopedic back supports, casting and splinting materials, and cold therapy devices. Utilizing 12 sales branch offices located throughout the country, more than 180 products are distributed to orthopedic sports medicine hospitals and clinics in Japan with strong commitment to improvement of people's health and lifestyle.

About dj Orthopedics

dj Orthopedics is a global orthopedic sports medicine company specializing in the design, manufacture and marketing of products and services that repair, regenerate and rehabilitate soft tissue and bone, help protect against injury and treat
osteoarthritis of the knee. Its broad range of over 600 existing products, many of which are based on proprietary technologies, includes rigid knee braces, soft goods, specialty and other complementary orthopedic products, and its recently introduced line of surgical products. These products provide solutions for patients and orthopedic sports medicine professionals throughout the patient's continuum of care.

Company Investor/Media Contact:
DJO Incorporated
Mark Francois
Director of Corporate Communications & Investor Relations
760-734-4766

Mark.Francois[at]djoglobal[dot]com