Encore Medical Corporation Enters Spinal Fixation Market.

AUSTIN, Texas--(BW HealthWire)--Oct. 30, 1998--

Exclusive U.S. Distribution Agreement with SCIENT'X Provides

Access to Rapidly Growing Spinal Fixation Marketplace

Encore(R) Medical Corporation (NASDAQ-ENMC) subsidiary, Encore Orthopedics, Inc., has entered into a three-year distribution agreement with SCIENT'X of Paris, France, a rapidly growing full line spinal implant company, for exclusive U.S. distribution rights to a complete line of spinal fusion implants. Terms include provisions for multiple three-year renewals of the exclusive agreement.

SCIENT'X has been active in the global marketplace since 1992, selling its products in Europe, Japan, South Korea and South America. Since 1995, international sales for SCIENT'X have increased at over 30% per year. Product development has focused on partnering with high profile European orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons in the design of the Company's innovative product line. Most notably, SCIENT'X introduced one of the first interbody lumbar fusion cages in the early 90's and, in 1993, introduced the first spinal products employing a semi-rigid fusion concept.

"Consummation of this agreement fulfills one of Encore's major strategic objectives by getting Encore into the spinal implants marketplace," said Nick Cindrich, Encore's Chairman and CEO. "Our commitment to being present in the forward looking segments of the orthopedic marketplace is, in part, fulfilled by this action."

Olivier Carli, President of SCIENT'X stated, "We have been looking for a U.S. based partner that would aggressively market our line of spinal products. Encore Orthopedics meets this objective."

Rapid growth and high margins characterize the spinal implant marketplace, with 1996 and 1997 growth rates exceeding 30% per year. The U.S. market is estimated at approximately $400 million for 1997. It is anticipated that growth rates in excess of 20% per year will continue for several years. "Encore will use the SCIENT'X product line to `jump start' its entry into the U.S. market," said Craig Smith, Encore's President. "Continued cooperation with SCIENT'X and Encore's own product development efforts will result in a continuous stream of new spinal products."

The spinal implants market presently consists of three major product categories, plate and screw systems, rod, hook and screw systems, and interbody fusion devices (cages). Encore will enter these three market segments using a variety of product offerings. The SCIENT'X Isolock-Isobar(TM) System consists of rods, plates, cortical screws, and pedicle screws that can be utilized in both a rigid and semi-rigid fashion, addressing a wide variety of surgical indications. The SCIENT'X PCB(tm) cervical plate system addresses those indications specific to anterior fusion of the cervical spine. The most rapidly growing market segment, interbody fusion devices, is addressed with the SCIENT'X Isomorphic(tm) Lumbar Cage System. Encore anticipates that FDA clearance will first be received for the Isolock-Isobar rigid fixation systems in early 1999. Other clearances will follow.

Encore Medical Corporation (www.encoremed.com) designs, manufactures, markets and sells orthopedic total joint, trauma, and now spinal implants around the world. Over the past five years, sales have increased at a compounded annual sales growth rate of over 56 percent.

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve risks and uncertainties, such as quarterly fluctuations in operating results, the timely availability of new products, the impacts of competitive products and pricing, and other risks and uncertainties set forth in the

Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statements made herein.

This release is available on the KCSA Worldwide Website at www.kcsa.com.