DePuy Orthopaedics Inc. has completed the acquisition of Hand Innovations LLC, a privately held manufacturer of widely used fracture fixation products for the upper extremities. The acquisition provides DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc., with leading technology in the plating business, the fastest growing and most under penetrated segment of the worldwide extremities market.

Innovations' Distal Volar Radius (DVR) plates offer clear benefits including structural strength, less soft tissue disturbance and the potential for faster recovery as compared to casting, external fixation or other plates, states a Johnson & Johnson release.

Worldwide, over 200,000 distal radius fractures are treated surgically each year. More than 50,000 DVR plates have been implanted since the technology was introduced in February 2001.

In addition to DVR plates, Hand Innovations LLC offers a diverse and innovative product portfolio focused on the needs of the upper extremity surgeon.

"Treatment of upper extremities is an area of strong growth and our goal is to lead the industry in this area. By combining leading products of Hand Innovations LLC and DePuy's worldwide distribution network, we anticipate rapid growth in this segment of the market," said Gordon Van Ummersen, general manager, worldwide trauma and extremities, DePuy Orthopaedics Inc

Jorge Orbay, a leading Miami-based hand surgeon and founder of Hand Innovations LLC, said, "The combination of our complementary product development capabilities will enhance our ability to develop even better treatment options for surgeons."

DePuy Orthopaedics Inc. will integrate with the Hand Innovations sales team to broaden worldwide distribution of its products.

DePuy Orthopaedics Inc., a Johnson & Johnson company, is a leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of orthopaedic devices and supplies including hip and knee replacements, trauma and extremities products, and operating room products.