Orthofix International Introduces New Line Of Walker Boots

December 9, 2009

BOSTON, Dec 09, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- OrthofixInternational (NASDAQ: OFIX) (the Company) announced today that its sports medicine division, BREG, has launched an innovative new line of foot and ankle products. Vectra(TM) Premium Air Walker Boots are designed to provide patients with post-surgical support and stabilization while also improving comfort and allowing increased wear time in order to promote post-surgical healing.

The new line of Vectra(TM) Premium Air Walker Boots features three patent-pending technologies designed to improve patient comfort and promote better compliance and healing.

  • Fold-Over Air Pump and Release Valve - The walker boots integrate a pneumatic pump and valve into the boot liner using a unique fold-over collar that allows the patient to move the collar to the most comfortable position. This is designed to eliminate painful pressure against the leg, which can occur with some walker boots when the patient tightens the top adjustment strap.
  • Removable Heel Clip - The Vectra(TM) boot is the only walker to feature a removable heel clip, allowing it to accommodate both closed and open heel applications.
  • Dual-Axis Rocker Bottom - TheVectra(TM) boot is also the only walker with a dual-axis rocker bottom designed to improve patient gait by mirroring a normal walking pattern from lateral heel strike to medial toe-off propulsion. Additionally, the large foot-bed can accommodate post-operative dressing and bandages.

"The Vectra(TM) Premium Air Walker Boots were designed to be differentiated within the marketplace and set a new standard in post-operative care of the foot and ankle by improving patient compliance and healing through increased comfort," said Alan Milinazzo, President and CEO of Orthofix. "This addition to our broad product portfolio demonstrates our continuing commitment to provide our physician customers with new technology to enhance the post-operative treatment of their patients."

The U.S. market for pneumatic walker boots is estimated to be approximately $115 million in 2010, with a compound annual growth rate of approximately 5%.

The line of Vectra(TM) Premium Air Walker Boots also includes a lightweight version with a low-profile foot-bed design and full-circumferential strapping for stability. It incorporates a contoured liner and aluminum uprights to provide a custom fit, and a moisture-wicking inner layer to enhance patient comfort.

The full line of Vectra(TM) Air Walker Boots includes Vectra(TM) Premium Air, Vectra(TM) Premium and Vectra(TM) Lite, available in tall and short profiles and various foot sizes.

For more information about Vectra Walker Boots visit www.orthofix.com or www.breg.com.

About Orthofix

Orthofix International, N.V. is a global medical device company offering a broad line of minimally invasive surgical, and non-surgical, products for the spine, orthopedic, and sports medicine market sectors that address the lifelong bone-and-joint health needs of patients of all ages-helping them achieve a more active and mobile lifestyle. Orthofix's products are widely distributed around the world to orthopedic surgeons and patients via Orthofix's sales representatives and its subsidiaries, including BREG, Inc. and via partnerships with other leading orthopedic product companies. In addition, Orthofix is collaborating in R&D partnerships with leading medical institutions such as the Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation, the Orthopedic Research and Education Foundation, the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and the National Osteoporosis Institute. For more information about Orthofix, please visit www.orthofix.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This communication contains certain forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements, which may include, but are not limited to, statements concerning the projections, financial condition, results of operations and businesses of Orthofix and its subsidiaries and are based on management's current expectations and estimates and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements.

Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences may include, but are not limited to, risks relating to the expected sales of its products, including products not yet launched, unanticipated expenditures, changing relationships with customers, suppliers and strategic partners, risks relating to the protection of intellectual property, changes to the reimbursement policies of third parties, changes to and interpretation of governmental regulation of medical devices, the impact of competitive products, changes to the competitive environment, the acceptance of new products in the market, conditions of the orthopedic industry and the economy, corporate development and market development activities, including acquisitions or divestitures, unexpected costs or operating unit performance related to recent acquisitions and other factors described in our annual report on Form 10-K and other periodic reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

SOURCE: Orthofix International

Orthofix International N.V.
Dan Yarbrough, 617-912-2903
Vice President of Investor Relations
danyarbrough@orthofix.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009