CONTACTS
Greg Karian, CPed
Marketing Director
Dr. Comfort
(262) 236-3293 or (262) 227-7935
Greg.Karian@djoglobal.com
Deb Song
Associate Director of Media Relations
Rush University Medical Center
(312) 942-0588
deb_song@rush.edu
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – January 14, 2013
New Patented Footwear Design Clinically Proven to Reduce Knee Pain
(MEQUON, WI) – A new footwear collection called Flex-OA has just been introduced by Dr. Comfort, a
global provider of therapeutic footwear. The patented new footwear design (U.S. Patent Number
US7954261) was based on clinical research to help reduce the load on the knees, a major cause of knee
pain associated with osteoarthritis, or OA. Studies conducted by rheumatology experts at Rush
University Medical Center in Chicago, Ill., indicate that people who wear the shoes experience an
average knee load reduction of 20 percent. The studies also include evidence suggesting the patented
design can actually help achieve beneficial gait alterations that may help reduce pain and slow the
progression of osteoarthritis.
The people at Dr. Comfort believe the patented X-Sole Relief Technology in Flex-OA, which works to
naturally change the loads across the knee, is a biomechanical breakthrough in the treatment of
osteoarthritis. Today’s treatment for OA focuses on relieving the symptoms and can include oral
medications, topical pain relievers, physical therapy and weight loss programs. Since using Flex-OA as a
treatment for OA knee pain is as simple as putting on your shoes, it eliminates the frustration associated
with current treatment methods that ask people to change their normal daily routine. Their hopes are
that people who suffer from OA knee pain will use it initially to help relieve pain, then continue use and
help slow the progression of OA. The intent is to move the need for more invasive and costly
treatments, such as surgery or total knee replacement, further down the road, or even eliminate the
need altogether.
“Our ultimate goal would be to see Flex-OA do for the treatment of osteoarthritis what diabetic shoes
have done for the treatment of diabetic foot health,” says Joe McClung, senior vice president of DJO
Global’s vascular division and general manager of Dr. Comfort. Owned by DJO Global, Inc., Dr. Comfort
has been in business since 2002 and is the worldwide leading manufacturer of diabetic footwear—shoes
and inserts specially designed to help reduce foot health complications commonly associated with
diabetes, such as ulcerations and amputation. The CDC released a study in January 2012 that said
amputation rates for people with diabetes had been reduced by half since the mid-1990’s.
For more information on Flex-OA shoes, visit www.drcomfort.com , or call Dr. Comfort at (800) 5565572.
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 product 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®, ProCare®, DJO® Surgical and Dr. Comfort®.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended. Such statements relate to, among other things, the Company’s expectations for the timing of
new product releases. The words “believe,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate” and
“anticipate,” variations of such words and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, but
their absence does not mean that a statement is not a forward-looking statement. These forwardlooking statements are based on the Company’s current expectations and are subject to a number of
risks, uncertainties and assumptions, many of which are beyond the Company’s ability to control or
predict. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a
result of new information, future events or otherwise. The important factors that could cause actual
results to differ significantly from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements
include, but are not limited to the following: the successful execution of the Company’s business
strategies relative to its Bracing and Vascular, Recovery Sciences, International and Surgical Implant
segments; the successful execution of the Company’s sales strategies; and the Company’s ability to
successfully develop, license or acquire, and timely introduce and market new products or product
enhancements. These and other risk factors related to DJO are detailed in the Company’s Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, filed on March 3, 2011 with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. Many of the factors that will determine the outcome of the subject matter of this
press release are beyond the Company’s ability to control or predict.
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