DJO Global Releases OA Nano™, the World's Lightest* Knee Brace, to Reduce Pain, Enhance Stability and Boost Patient Use

SAN DIEGO, July 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- DJO Global, Inc. ("DJO Global"), a global provider of medical device solutions for musculoskeletal health, vascular health and pain management, today announced the launch of OA Nano™, the world's lightest* off-loading knee brace at 14.2 ounces for patients with mild-to-moderate osteoarthritis. Sold under the DonJoy brand by DJO Global, the OA Nano™ is clinically proven** to reduce pain and increase the stability of the knee.   The brace also offers a range of design benefits that ensure patients will use as directed, thus improving their quality of lives.

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OA Nano™ joins the world-class suite of DonJoy bracing products that have long been favored by professional athletes and 21 out of 25 AP college football teams. With OA Nano™, DJO Global has brought functional, high-performance DonJoy bracing technology to the everyday American.

"Knee pain is very common and affects the lives of millions of Americans each year," said Dr. Neil Roth of the Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. "If left untreated, osteoarthritis will worsen over time, as a progressive degenerative disease that is a leading cause of chronic disability. Unfortunately, many Americans who experience knee pain do not treat the symptoms properly or early enough.  There are many non-operative modalities, like bracing, that can be utilized prior to more invasive treatments and that have proven highly effective for many patients."

Nearly Three in Four Americans Experience Knee Pain

A Wakefield Research/DonJoy survey of 1,000 Americans over the age of 40 revealed that nearly three out of four (73%) have experienced knee pain in the last year. Surprisingly, nearly eight out of 10 Americans who don't experience knee pain wrongly assume that they will never experience it. According to the National Arthritis Foundation, one in two people may develop symptomatic knee osteoarthritis.

Only One in Ten Americans Use Knee Braces to Treat Knee Pain

The survey also found that 58% of Americans over 40 have ignored knee pain because they didn't think that it was a big deal. Among Americans who have experienced knee pain in the past 12 months, 41% aren't doing anything to manage their knee pain, 36% are taking over-the-counter pain medicine, 17% are regularly taking prescription medicine, 14% are using cold compression therapy and only 12% are using a knee brace.

"Increasingly, physicians and surgeons are advocating for a conservative care treatment regimen that preserves joints and helps patients avoid or stave off more expensive, addictive or riskier treatments.  Noninvasive, non-addictive treatment options, such as knee bracing, can empower patients to proactively take control of their osteoarthritis without the cost, recovery time or potential for adverse events associated with surgical procedures or narcotic pain management," said Mike Mogul, president and CEO of DJO Global. "OA Nano™ is based on the advanced knee brace technology that professional athletes have used for years and helps patients reduce pain, increase stability and maintain their desired activity levels."

Manufactured using nanoMAG™ TTMP, a revolutionary new kind of metal that is as light as magnesium with the strength of aircraft-grade aluminum, OA Nano™ decreases pressure on the knee by offloading stress, allowing patients to enjoy physical activities pain free with greater stability than many other conservative care treatments today. The knee brace is based on years of meticulous research and designed to optimize comfort, compliance and efficacy through its unmatched light weight, flexibility, and low profile.

"In addition to the weight and aesthetics, my patients cite the comfort of the brace as one of the most important factors in whether or not they will comply with my treatment recommendations and use osteoarthritis braces consistently," said Dr. Joseph Hellmann of OMNI Orthopedics in Canton, Ohio. "In the growing movement of conservative care, compliance is one of the most important factors that can enable patients to successfully preserve their knee joints and maintain mobility. Given that The National Arthritis Foundation granted the OA Nano™ its Ease of Use commendation, I can be assured that my patients will actually be able to put on the brace."

When asked if they were diagnosed with osteoarthritis and had to wear a knee brace, Americans over 40 ranked the following factors as being most important when selecting a brace: maximum comfort (32%), decreased pain (25%), light weight (12%) and increased stability (12%).

"DJO Global's research and development team designed OA Nano™ to address all of these factors, and we are excited to help the growing segment of Americans with osteoarthritis return to their active lives," said Mogul.  "And with obesity levels rising rapidly, more Americans than ever can expect to develop OA in their lifetimes, which will only fuel more demand for more options on the conservative care spectrum."

Among Americans over 40 who have experienced knee pain in the past 12 months, the most often cited way it has affected their lives is hindering them from doing physical activities (37%), followed by making common household chores more difficult (35%) and limiting mobility (31%). While these findings may not be surprising, the amount that Americans know about osteoarthritis is.

Osteoarthritis Myths Versus Facts

The survey also revealed that the majority (94%) of Americans ages 40 and older don't know all the facts about osteoarthritis.

• 68% of Americans do not know that the joint disorder is the leading cause of chronic disability
• 66% incorrectly believe there is a cure for the joint disorder
• 40% think that the joint disorder affects people of all ages equally, while the likelihood of developing osteoarthritis actually increases with age

For additional survey findings, please email [email protected].

About the Survey

The Wakefield/DonJoy survey was conducted online with 1,001 nationally representative American adults ages 40 and above between May 11, 2012 and May 17, 2012. The survey polled respondents on their knowledge and perceptions of osteoarthritis, knee pain and treatment options.

For Additional Information and to Locate a Physician

Please visit www.djoglobal.com/oanano or call 1-800-336-6569.

About DJO Global

DJO Global is a leading global developer, manufacturer and distributor of high-quality medical devices that provide solutions for musculoskeletal health, vascular health and pain management. The Company's products address the continuum of patient care from injury prevention to rehabilitation after surgery, injury or from degenerative disease, enabling people to regain or maintain their natural motion. Its products are used by orthopedic specialists, spine surgeons, primary care physicians, pain management specialists, physical therapists, podiatrists, chiropractors, athletic trainers and other healthcare professionals. In addition, many of the Company's medical devices and related accessories are used by athletes and patients for injury prevention and at-home physical therapy treatment. The Company's products lines include rigid and soft orthopedic bracing, hot and cold therapy, bone growth stimulators, vascular therapy systems and compression garments, therapeutic shoes and inserts, electrical stimulators used for pain management and physical therapy products. The Company's surgical division offers a comprehensive suite of reconstructive joint products for the hip, knee and shoulder. DJO Global's products are marketed under a portfolio of brands including Aircast®, Chattanooga, CMF™, Compex®, DonJoy®, Empi®, DJO® Surgical and Dr. Comfort®. For additional information on the Company, please visit www.DJOglobal.com.

*weight based on L1845 PDAC coded, double-upright rigid knee brace for mild to moderate OA (brace size-medium)

**Matthew Nadaud, Richard Komistek et al, 2006 (J Bone Joint Surg AM, 87:114-119, 2005)

Media Contact:
Abhi Basu
646-747-7174
[email protected]

SOURCE DJO Global, Inc.