Independent Scientific Exhibit at the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons Meeting Reviews Effectiveness of Osteoarthritis Braces in Offloading the Medial Compartment of the Knee

February 24, 2005

SAN DIEGO, Feb 24, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- dj Orthopedics, Inc. (NYSE: DJO), a global medical device company specializing in rehabilitation and regeneration products for the non-operative orthopedic and spine markets, today announced that an independent scientific exhibit being presented at the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons meeting in
Washington, DC highlights the effectiveness of osteoarthritis (OA) braces in offloading the medial compartment of the knee in OA patients. The study found that out of five different OA braces, manufactured by five different companies, only two were effective in offloading the knee. dj Orthopedics' DonJoy® OA Adjuster was among the two braces. The other three braces in the study showed greater variability and less than optimal offloading capability.

The research study was led by Richard D. Komistek, Ph.D., Professor of Biomechanical Engineering and Center Director for the Center for Musculoskeletal Research at the University of Tennessee. In his research, Dr. Komistek placed OA braces on subjects with substantial unicompartmental OA with degenerative joint space narrowing. The subjects were then studied utilizing fluoroscopic surveillance in the frontal plane of the knee while walking on a treadmill with the brace off and then with the brace on. Each brace was then evaluated for its effectiveness at creating medial OA offloading during walking gait. The study was performed impartially, without any form of input or financial support from the brace companies.

Dr. Komistek's study concluded that only two of the five OA braces tested maintained an adequate amount of medial OA offloading in the OA patient's knee and were noticeably more effective at generating adequate off-loading separation.

Knee osteoarthritis is the destruction of articular cartilage, followed by the destruction of the underlying bone due to wear and contact pressure. With time the cortical surface of the bone is weakened and may collapse. When the joint becomes malaligned, deterioration becomes more rapid and pain increases.

"While we are obviously pleased with the outcome of Dr. Komistek's research, we are not at all surprised," said Les Cross,
President and CEO of dj Orthopedics. "Other independent studies have demonstrated that superior bracing products result from better product design, the use of higher quality materials, and manufacturing techniques that assure consistent standards of excellence. All of these variables play an enormously important role in creating top-tier functional knee braces and our DonJoy braces consistently score at the top."

Representatives from dj Orthopedics' sales and technical staffs will be available for media interviews at Booth 3139 during the AAOS meeting, February 23 - 25, at the Washington DC Convention Center.

About dj Orthopedics

dj Orthopedics is a global medical device company specializing in rehabilitation and regeneration products for the non-operative orthopedic and spine markets. The Company's broad range of over 600 rehabilitation products, including rigid knee braces, soft goods and pain management products, are used to prevent injury, to treat chronic conditions and to aid in recovery after surgery or injury. The Company's regeneration products consist of bone growth stimulation devices that are used to treat nonunion fractures and as an adjunct therapy after spinal fusion surgery.

The Company sells its products in the United States and in more than 40 other countries through networks of agents, distributors and its direct sales force that market its products to orthopedic and spine surgeons, podiatrists, orthopedic and prosthetic centers, third-party distributors, hospitals, surgery centers, physical therapists, athletic trainers and other healthcare professionals.

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dj Orthopedics, Inc.
Mark Francois, 760-734-4766

Mark.Francois[at]djoglobal[dot]com