SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 8, 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 its sponsorship of the International Ski Federation and the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center (OSTRC) in developing an Injury
Surveillance System for the FIS. The FIS skiing disciplines include alpine, cross country, jumping, Nordic combined, freestyle and snowboarding.
The purpose of the FIS-coordinated project is to better understand the mechanisms of various skiing-related injuries among elite skiers so that injury prevention programs can be developed. Data collection for the project begins with the 2006 skiing season. It is anticipated that the FIS will unveil the details of the novel undertaking at the Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy this February 2006. Data collection and analysis for the project will be conducted by the OSTRC, a world renowned trauma research center focused on identifying risk factors and injury mechanisms, followed by the design of injury prevention programs based on their research. OSTRC has been most active in developing injury prevention programs for soccer and alpine skiing.
"We are proud to support the FIS and OSTRC in this important research project to develop injury prevention programs and products for skiing and potentially other sports as well," said Les Cross, president and CEO of dj Orthopedics. "Through products like our flagship DonJoy® Custom Defiance® knee brace, the Company has a rich history of bracing some of the world's most elite professional and amateur athletes across a wide spectrum of traditional and extreme sports to help protect athletes from knee injuries. Our support also takes the form of important research funding through internal and external science, to develop programs and treatments that keep athletes in the game."
The International Ski Federation was founded in 1924 during the first Olympic Winter Games in Chamonix, France. Its objective is to promote the sport of skiing and to supervise and direct the development of all skiing activities. Today, 107 National Ski Associations comprise the membership of the FIS. (www.fis-ski.com).
About dj Orthopedics, Inc.
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, pain management and regeneration 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.djoglobal.com.
SOURCE: dj Orthopedics, Inc.
dj Orthopedics, Inc.
Mark Francois, 760-734-4766
Leive Vanden Berghe, (011) 32 10 68 64 53 (Media Contact)
