Smith & Nephew Orthopaedics Launches Versatile VLP(TM) FOOT Plating System

MEMPHIS, Tenn., March 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Smith & Nephew (NYSE: SNN, LSE: SN) Orthopaedics Division today announces the global launch of its VLP™ FOOT Variable-angle Locked Plating system. The portfolio of innovative screws and low-profile plates expands for Smith & Nephew surgeon customers the variety of patients who can return to an active lifestyle after orthopaedic foot surgery.

The broad range of screw types and plate designs in the VLP FOOT system solves one of the key issues facing orthopaedic surgeons—matching the internal bone fixation technology to the patient's sometimes difficult bone type. While the system offers low-profile versions of both classic plate designs and newer anatomic ones, VLP FOOT screw options give it an unrivalled breadth of fixation choices. For instance, it includes innovative locking screws that can be placed at 15-degrees off the center axis in any direction, giving the surgeon tremendous flexibility when choosing how to position the plate over the fracture. And its array of screw thread designs address every type of bone—such as younger patients with harder bone, older patients with softer bone, and even diabetic patients who may have neuropathic diseased bone.

"We've worked hard to introduce this range of technology to foot and ankle surgeons," says Bill Shopoff, President of Smith & Nephew Orthopaedics' Trauma franchise. "We've introduced a system that keeps the surgeon in control during the case—the versatile VLP FOOT system can keep pace with the most challenging indications so our customers can focus on returning patients to weight-bearing mobility quickly and simply."

VLP FOOT technology is central to Smith & Nephew's broader foot and ankle treatment portfolio, known as ALL28™—named for the 28 bones comprising this portion of the human anatomy. The ALL28 portfolio addresses fractures, deformities and arthritis of the foot and ankle and includes technologies previously introduced by Smith & Nephew, such as the ILIZAROV™ Circular Fixator, the TRIGEN™ Hindfoot Fusion Nail, and ACTICOAT™ EXFIX, a silver-coated antimicrobial barrier dressing developed by the company's Advanced Wound Management division.

About Us

Smith & Nephew is a global medical technology business, specialising in Orthopaedics, including Reconstruction, Trauma and Clinical Therapies; Endoscopy and Advanced Wound Management.  Smith & Nephew is a global leader in arthroscopy and advanced wound management and is one of the leading global orthopaedics companies.

Smith & Nephew is dedicated to helping improve people's lives.  The Company prides itself on the strength of its relationships with its surgeons and professional healthcare customers, with whom its name is synonymous with high standards of performance, innovation and trust.  The Company operates in 32 countries around the world.  Annual sales in 2009 were nearly $3.8 billion.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  In particular, statements regarding expected revenue growth and trading margins discussed under "Outlook" are forward-looking statements as are discussions of our product pipeline.  These statements, as well as the phrases "aim", "plan", "intend", "anticipate", "well-placed", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target", "consider" and similar expressions, are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements.  Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors (including, but not limited to, the outcome of litigation, claims and regulatory approvals) that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Smith & Nephew, or industry results, to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  Please refer to the documents that Smith & Nephew has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including Smith & Nephew's most recent annual report on Form 20F, for a discussion of certain of these factors.

All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to Smith & Nephew as of the date hereof.  All written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to Smith & Nephew or any person acting on behalf of Smith & Nephew are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing.  Smith & Nephew does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in Smith & Nephew's expectation with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

SOURCE Smith & Nephew

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