SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 19, 2006--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 it will launch a new protective headgear product designed to reduce the number and severity of soccer head injuries.
In November 2005, ASTM International established the first soccer headgear standard after years of development to help identify which forms of headgear best protect soccer players from head injuries. ASTM International is one of the largest standards development organizations in the world and has been instrumental in establishing and implementing other protective initiatives for sports such as football, cycling and many others. ASTM International, which includes more than 130 standards writing technical committees comprising over 30,000 members, published F2439-06 Standard Specification for Headgear Used in Soccer in February 2006.
"We have been tracking the emergence of soccer head protection for some time," said Les Cross, president and CEO of dj Orthopedics. "dj Orthopedics has been a pioneer in the development, manufacture and distribution of novel products that help athletes of all abilities reduce the incidence of sports-related injuries. We believe the recent announcement of a soccer headgear standard by the ASTM is an opportunity for dj Orthopedics to support the largest and most popular sport in the world. Similar to other markets that have evolved after ASTM sports safety equipment standards have been implemented, we believe the new ASTM soccer headgear standard will develop into a significant market opportunity as youth soccer organizations, high schools and colleges encourage or even require headgear use to reduce the incidence of concussions and other soccer-related head injuries. Our product will meet or exceed the new ASTM standard and will be sold to high schools and colleges through our team-sports group and our website at www.donjoystore.com."
Several independent studies have shown that head injuries, particularly concussions, have become a significant issue in soccer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, doctors treat more than 200,000 children a year for soccer-related injuries, including concussions. A recent independent study by Scott Delaney, M.D. of Canada's McGill University in the Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine found that the rate of head injuries for soccer players was similar to the rate for football players.
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. Marketed under the DonJoy and ProCare brands, the Company's broad range of over 600 rehabilitation products, including rigid knee braces, soft goods and pain management products, are used in the prevention of injury, in the treatment of chronic conditions and for 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. Together, these products provide solutions throughout the patient's continuum of care. The Company sells its products in the United States and in more than 50 other countries through networks of agents, distributors and its direct sales force. Customers include orthopedic, podiatric and spine surgeons, orthotic and prosthetic centers, third-party distributors, hospitals, surgery centers, physical therapists, athletic trainers and other healthcare professionals. For additional information on the Company, please visit www.djortho.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding the potential market for soccer headgear. dj Orthopedics undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Forward looking statements include references to the potential market opportunity for soccer headgear should soccer organizations encourage or mandate headgear use. This forward-looking statement is based on the Company's current expectations and is subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that might cause actual results to differ significantly from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statement, including the risk that the soccer organizations may not encourage or mandate headgear use despite the new ASTM standard. Other general Company risk factors are detailed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, filed on February 16, 2006 with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
SOURCE: dj Orthopedics, Inc.
dj Orthopedics, Inc.
Mark Francois, 760-734-4766
