MEMPHIS, Tenn., Feb. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Today, Smith &
Nephew, Inc. (LSE: SN; NYSE:
SNN) announced it is partnering with famed sports icon and
humanitarian Billie Jean King to highlight her success following
her double knee replacement with a Smith & Nephew product. One
year ago, King had double knee replacement surgery, receiving Smith
& Nephew’s LEGION knee with the company’s exclusive
VERILAST™ Technology, which according to lab-testing is
expected to provide 30 years of active mobility under normal
conditions. Following the success of her procedure, the icon wanted
to share her story about how this unrivaled knee technology has
allowed her to regain her mobility and pursue life to the fullest
on her own terms.

“For nearly four decades, I was in a downward spiral of pain and
compromise due to my knees, which eventually forced me out of my
beloved sport. The most frustrating aspect for me was that my mind
and spirit were aligned and motivated, but my body wouldn’t
cooperate,” King said. “The mental and emotional shift my new knees
have provided me has been tremendous; I feel like I’m 20 again, and
I’m back on the courts playing tennis.”

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, there
are approximately 581,000 knee replacements performed in the U.S.
each year. (i)

“Smith & Nephew is thrilled to be working with Billie Jean
King,” said Joseph M. DeVivo, president of Smith & Nephew
Orthopaedics. “Billie is the archetype of the perfect candidate for
the high-performing and long-wearing knee replacements she received
through our innovative VERILAST™ Technology. Billie’s story
of empowerment and long-term endurance are at the very core of what
Smith & Nephew products are designed to achieve.”

The LEGION™ Primary Knee System with VERILAST™
Technology was used for King’s knee replacements. It

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