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SAN DIEGO--(BW HealthWire)--April 8, 2002--dj Orthopedics Inc. (NYSE:DJO), a designer, manufacturer and marketer of products and services for the orthopedic sports medicine market, announces the introduction of its DonJoy® Shoulder Stabilizer brace, which features a patented design that was developed with Dr. Thomas Sawa to provide immobilization and controlled range of motion for patients with shoulder injuries.
The stabilizing function of the brace protects the shoulder during motion and allows active individuals and athletes to return to
their sport post-injury or post-operatively.
Dr. Sawa, a sports medicine specialist from Ontario, Canada, and team physician for St. Michael's College Jr. A Hockey Club, originally invented the brace when his search for an alternative to treating shoulder dislocations with taping did not produce any suitable options. The brace is designed to treat common shoulder injuries such as glenohumeral dislocations/subluxations, rotator cuff tears and acromioclavicular separations, according to Dr. Sawa.
"The Shoulder Stabilizer brace technology has been proven in the rehab and protection of thousands of patients," said Dr. Sawa. "I am pleased to have dj Orthopedics, one of the largest orthopedic bracing companies, as a partner in the marketing of this product."
"This brace has an impressive track record, having been worn by thousands of athletes and numerous teams in the NFL, NHL and NCAA," said Les Cross, president and CEO of dj Orthopedics. "As an orthopedic company focused on the sports medicine segment, the DonJoy Shoulder Stabilizer brace is an excellent addition to our product line that we believe will further enhance our position in the shoulder brace market."
The brace features a unique strapping design that allows for customized range of motion control. The patented design also includes multiple securing areas on the arm and body for improved leverage control for various arm movements, such as throwing or hitting. The brace was designed to enhance patient comfort by incorporating an underarm cut-out region to provide improved temperature control and minimized skin irritation and chafing. The DonJoy Shoulder Stabilizer is constructed of Latex-free black polyester Lycra® material and is designed to fit easily under protective gear. The brace is offered in right and left versions and is available in six sizes for a custom-like fit.
dj Orthopedics has signed a five-year agreement with Dr. Sawa, giving the Company exclusive rights to manufacture and distribute the brace. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, each year approximately four million people in the U.S. seek medical care for shoulder injuries, with 1.5 million visits to orthopedic surgeons.
dj Orthopedics is a global orthopedic sports medicine company specializing in the design, manufacture and marketing of surgical and non-surgical 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.
Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates Inc.
Investor Relations Contacts:
Bruce Voss / Jody Cain
310/691-7100
bvoss@lhai.com / jcain@lhai.com
www.lhai.com
Media Contacts:
Donovan Roche / Jenny Ho, 619/234-0345
roche@formulaPR.com / jho@formulaPR.com
dj Orthopedics Inc.
Marjorie Rowland, 760/734-4766
