YORK, England, November 30, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- European patients who have undergone arthroscopic joint surgery and experience post-operative pain can, from today, benefit from a unique injectable treatment which supplements or replaces the body's natural hyaluronic acid, the substance which lubricates and cushions joints.

Smith & Nephew's DUROLANE(R) has been given the rights to bear the CE mark for expanded indications and is now available for use in patients undergoing arthroscopic joint surgery in the presence of osteoarthritis or following general arthroscopic surgical repair of the joint. The new license permits DUROLANE to be used at any point up to three months after an arthroscopic procedure. Previously, the treatment was only available to patients being treated for mild to moderate hip or knee osteoarthritis (OA). The license extension also permits the use of the product in OA patients experiencing pain in all sizes of synovial joints, such as fingers, ankles and knees.

"Patients can experience severe and debilitating pain for many reasons following arthroscopic procedures, which, historically, have been managed to varying degrees of success with local anaesthetics and other treatments," said Mr Richard Villar, consultant orthopaedic surgeon and co-founder of the International Society for Hip Arthroscopy.

"Today's recognition that hyaluronic acid replacement has a significant role to play in managing post-arthroscopic pain, as well as its wide use in the treatment of osteoarthritis is welcome news for patients who are keen to get back to a normal lifestyle following such a procedure," he added.

DUROLANE, which is administered as a single injection, was developed by Q-Med AB in Sweden and is marketed by Smith & Nephew, uses a unique, safe and effective technology called NASHA(TM) to stabilise the hyaluronic acid. It is injected directly into joints to restore lubrication and cushioning, helping the patient regain joint function and reduce the pain commonly associated with post-operative recovery. DUROLANE is treated by the body in a similar way as its own hyaluronic acid, and is associated with a long history of safe use, marketed within the European Union since 2001.

The unique NASHA technology enables DUROLANE to resist breakdown in the body, giving a long-lasting effect in a single injection. In contrast, some formulations of hyaluronic acid require compared multiple injections.

"At Smith & Nephew, our focus is to help improve people's lives by repairing and healing the human body, which is why we invested in bringing this product to wider applications," said John Everett, VP of International Commercial Operations, Smith & Nephew.

"DUROLANE already was shown to be safe and effective in the treatment of knee and hip osteoarthritis, and this license extension is a significant development in the treatment options for healthcare professionals to help their patients regain their lives," he added.

Notes to Editors:

About DUROLANE(R)

DUROLANE is a single injection treatment which, prior to the EU licence extension, was indicated to relieve the pain of knee or hip osteoarthritis.

DUROLANE is transparent gel which contains high levels of Hyaluronic acid (HA), a naturally occurring molecule that provides the lubrication and cushioning in a normal joint. It is injected into joints affected by osteoarthritis to relieve pain, restore lubrication and cushioning which improves joint function and helps to restore quality of life, using patented NASHA technology. Further information can be found at: http://www.q-med.com and http://www.durolane.com.

About Smith & Nephew

Smith & Nephew is a global medical technology business with global leadership positions in Orthopaedics; including Reconstruction, Trauma and Clinical Therapies; Endoscopy; including Sports Medicine; 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 has distribution channels, purchasing agents and buying entities in over 90 countries worldwide. Annual sales in 2009 were nearly $3.8 billion.

References

1. Drosos, G.I et al, Post-Operative Pain After Knee Arthroscopy and Related Factors, Open Orthop. J, 2008; 2; 110-114

Inquiries: Con Franklin, Red Door Communications Tel: +44(0)208-392-8061 CFranklin@rdcomms.com

SOURCE: Smith SOURCE: &SOURCE: Nephew

CONTACT: Inquiries: Con Franklin, Red Door Communications, Tel:+44(0)208-392-8061 / +44(0)7889-723-721, CFranklin@rdcomms.com