The May 8, 2009 acquisition of the assets of ArthroWave, LLC, enabled VQ OrthoCare to combine the revolutionary BioniCare technology with its advanced OActive Osteoarthritis Knee Brace products.

The OActive osteoarthritis knee brace is a low profile unloading brace with adjustable correction. The BioniCare technology employs an electrical stimulation system that was cleared for marketing by the FDA in 2003, and indicated for use as “an adjunctive therapy for relieving pain and symptoms associated with osteoarthritis of the knee and for overall improvement of the knee as assessed by the physician’s global assessment.” The efficacy of the BioniCare technology is supported by five outstanding peer reviewed clinical studies and used by over 40,000 patients. According to the cofounder and CEO of BioniCare Medical Technologies Inc., Dr. Thomas Zizic, “This combination product is the ideal clinical solution to an important medical problem, osteoarthritis of the knees. The OActive Knee Brace provides near immediate relief while awaiting the more substantial long-term benefits of the BioniCare system which may take four to six months for optimal results.”

“We believe the investment in this new technology is a perfect fit with our existing non-invasive, non-pharmacological product line and will significantly enhance the profile of our core products while addressing a critical need in the marketplace,” said James Knape, founder and CEO of VQ OrthoCare.

________________________________________

VQ OrthoCare is a global health care provider of patient-centered solutions for a broad range of medical markets. Founded in 1989, the company’s drug-free product offering includes manufacturing and distribution of Orthopedic bracing and non-invasive neuromodulation therapy products. Services include in-home patient fitting of braces and medical devices, technology-enabled prescription compliance monitoring, physician support and around-the-clock patient care. Headquartered in Irvine, California, VQ OrthoCare has approximately 250 employees and distribution partners in 21 states and five countries. For more information on VQ OrthoCare, please visit us at www.vqorthocare.com, or call 800-266-6969.

ArthroWave Medical Technologies, a privately held limited liability company, headquartered in Sparks, Maryland was founded on providing non-drug, non-invasive treatments for arthritis and other diseases of the joints.

The BioniCare Knee Device was first marketed by BioniCare Medical Technologies, Inc.

©2010 VQ OrthoCare. All Rights Reserved.

September 13th, 2008 was the start of the foot journey across America.  Charlie Engle and his running partner Marshall Ulrich have dedicated themselves to running approximately 70 miles a day across the U.S. for 45 days straight.

Charlie has truly been an inspiration to the company. Through a time when our country is facing its most difficult hardships, we as a company are reminded of the determination and diligence that he and Marshall put forth every day.

While following Charlie on the road, we have had the opportunity to see first hand, the kind of impact he is making on Americans and the American spirit.  All over the country there have been many supporters tracking Charlie and the run to take part in this extraordinary event. They connect with him instantly sharing common interests. They also see his dedication and are enthralled by it, because to them, he is one of their own and not just another extreme celebrity athlete, but more of a modern day Forrest Gump.  They run with him, hoping that the amount of miles they put in whether it’s one mile or fifty, the little time that’s put in will help him reach his goal. The overwhelming support that he is receiving from everyone is motivation enough for him to push forward and finish the run.

We have also seen first hand what 70 miles of running day after day can do to a person’s body. Charlie and Marshall are both dealing with difficult and extreme challenges such as: severe heat, dehydration, blisters, rashes, and Achilles tendonitis.  It is gratifying to see the products that we believe in are helping them every day to reach their goals.  Charlie had stated, “I did not want to become frustrated in losing the mileage I gained on Marshall by dropping my pace below what I was physically capable of, so I opted to run with a knee brace and one of the OrthoStim3® devices to help manage the pain.” Charlie and Marshall are both being treated with our non-invasive neuromodulation device, the OrthoStim3, our VQ knee braces, and our cold therapy system, the VQ CoolCare.  After a long day of running, they are treated with these proprietary products to help them run another full day’s worth.

We are proud to be a part of this amazing event.  We wish Charlie and Marshall all the luck along the way and hope they will make it safely to the finish line on October 27, 2008

If you want to find out more about Charlie and Running America 2008 log onto www.runningamerica08.com

©2010 VQ OrthoCare. All Rights Reserved.

Passion and caring are two words that have made VQ OrthoCare successful over the past 20 years. VQ OrthoCare is in the business of caring. We care not only about our customers and patients, but we strive as an organization to make a difference. The individuals of VQ OrthoCare represent the driving force of a company that successfully blends business success while making a positive social impact. We are always contributors and participants in a variety of philanthropic projects; acts that not only address immediate needs, but inspire others to action for other worthy causes. An integral facet of making a difference, is finding partners and causes who commit to and achieve a common vision. A philosophical solidarity and commitment to leaving a positive social footprint is the foundation of the relationship between VQ OrthoCare and Charlie Engle.

Charlie’s deliberate, passionate and uncompromising nature has enabled him to achieve the apparently impossible from an athletic perspective. For example, he led an expedition of three ultra-endurance athletes to run across 4500 miles of the Sahara Desert by completing two marathons a days for 111 consecutive days. While the athletic achievement was astounding, he is using the resulting accolades to prompt awareness and a call to action addressing the critical need for plentiful, safe, and accessible drinking water. VQ OrthoCare has joined Charlie and is a sponsor and partner of H2O Africa’s Water Well Construction Project and of the Running the Sahara Expedition, which was documented in Matt Damon’s film of the same name that is due for release this year.

Charlie’s future plans include Running America, in which he will attempt to break a 28-year-old record by running from coast-to-coast in under 45 days (the quick math equates to nearly three marathons a day for 45 consecutive days). VQ OrthoCare is a sponsor of Running America.

Learn more about Charlie Engle…

• on his web site, Meet Charlie
• view/download Charlie’s newsletter

©2010 VQ OrthoCare. All Rights Reserved.

Celtics star Pierce says he’ll be ready for Game 2
By TOM WITHERS – June 8th

BOSTON (AP) — In the past two days, New England’s most celebrated right knee — and to this point, the focal point of the NBA finals — has been encased in ice, undergone electrical stimulation therapy, even had lasers fired at it.

This article as published by the Associated Press was picked up by at least four news agencies:

• The Canadian Press
• Boston Herald
• Boston Globe
• San Francisco Chronicle

Once again I am very encouraged to hear the mainstream media report on non-invasive recovery options for injury!

©2010 VQ OrthoCare. All Rights Reserved.

From latimes.com — May 13, 2008 "It was the tweak felt around the Southland…"

"I tried to play and make drives to the basket where I could kind of withstand the pain without the back completely spasming and then put the next game really in jeopardy," Bryant said.

On Monday he addressed reporters while standing, as he did during Sunday’s postgame news conference. Bryant said he would receive round-the-clock treatment.

His regimen includes ice, heat, massage and stretching. Bryant also held his electrical stimulation device by his side, saying he would basically sleep with it the next couple days.

… It delivers a current of up to 35 volts through four electrodes placed on the skin. The current contracts the muscles, increasing blood flow to the area to help recovery and it’s also thought to help block pain signals to the brain.

As a patient who also used an electrical stimulation device after an injury, I am really happy to hear the LA Times reporting on the alternative treatment using a medical device for treating pain. Kobe Bryant of the Lakers is one of our resident superstars here in Southern California; like Bryant, I also kept my device at my side constantly. The electrotherapy treatments gave me instant relief from the pain that I suffered from (broken bones).

Here at VQ OrthoCare we employ an athletic trainer who educates our team on the benefits and use of electrotherapy in treating patients with pain, spasms and helping to increase blood flow after an injury or surgery. I only learned about this type of treatment because my co-workers cared about my recovery. Once I discovered this alternative treatment I was relieved that I could immediately reduce the amount of pain medication that entered my bloodstream.

My hope is that this article as published by LA Times will help educate other patients and physicians about the benefits of electrotherapy and that many more patients like myself can experience an MVP’s regimen for recovery.

—Web Development Manager

Read the article on the LA Times Web site

©2010 VQ OrthoCare. All Rights Reserved.

Chronic pain is a major health concern in the U.S., and the leading cause of disability. The costs associated with treating chronic pain are very high and growing higher, and include medications, treatment for side effects, and lost productivity at work. Multi-modality electrotherapy can be a cost-effective solution for patients requiring pain management.

This paper reports on the consequences of pain, treatment options, and common types of pain medication along with their potential disadvantages. Electrotherapy is presented as a cost-effective adjunctive therapy for pain and other symptoms caused by musculoskeletal and soft-tissue conditions.

*In the United States:

• 50 million people suffer from chronic pain
• More than 80% of the population will experience back pain during their lifetime
• Pain costs $100 billion and results in more than 50 million lost work days annually
• Traditional pain treatment includes medications that are expensive, have negative side effects, may be addictive, and are responsible for a growing number of deaths
• For every dollar spent on a pain medication, another dollar is spent treating a complication associated with that medication
• Leading organizations recommend that physicians consider alternative/adjunctive treatments to control pain
• Multi-modality electrotherapy is a cost-effective, non-pharmacologic, non-invasive adjunctive treatment for pain caused by musculoskeletal and soft-tissue conditions

(* Sources for these statistics can be found in the reference section in the white paper)

View/Download the White Paper on Multi-Modality Electrotherapy

©2010 VQ OrthoCare. All Rights Reserved.

Working together in a spirit of continuous improvement and collaboration, the Human Resources team contributes to a progressive and productive work environment that meets the challenges of a changing world. It is our mission to attract, develop and retain highly motivated, competent and empowered employees through a corporate culture built on integrity, corporate values, customer service, reward and challenge.

We are committed to establishing and maintaining positive working relationships with all VQ OrthoCare staff, supervisors, and managers. Each person is a vital part of the Company, and each person will be treated with equal respect.

I trust and rely on the VQ OrthoCare staff for my rehabilitation as well. I can personally recommend the SurgiStim3 product, as I have had 2 occasions to use it this year, once for foot surgery and shortly thereafter for a lower back strain.  Other than the day of my foot surgery, the SS3 product allowed me get back to work immediately and I did not have to take any meds.  My rehab was quick and painless.  My back problem was more severe.  At the start, I did take meds at night to help me sleep, in addition to the stim. During the day, I was able to work without taking the meds.  The stim controlled the muscle spasms that I was having.  I was not able to see a back specialist for 35 days after the strain and by the time I did see him, I was not in pain any longer, thanks to the SS3.  

—Director of Human Resources

©2010 VQ OrthoCare. All Rights Reserved.

The Quality Assurance (Q.A.) and Regulatory Affairs team has a critical effect in the level of satisfaction, effectiveness and safety of the medical devices that we provide to our patients and customers. It is important to keep in mind the new task of the FDA’s personnel to inspect and investigate facilities and audit the level of commitment and the quality output of the products sold.

The benefits that patients and physicians experience as a result of the efforts contributed by our Quality Assurance Team are:

• Medical devices manufactured, monitored, inspected, tested, documented, validated, meeting and exceeding strict FDA’s regulations and standards therefore our precuts are capable of competing with global medical devices companies.

• Our Corrective and Preventive Action as well as our Complaint system have been commended by FDA’s and CHAP’s auditors.

• Patients praise our medical devices because they are reliable, safe and cost competitive.

VQ OrthoCare is committed to comply with the FDA’s rules and regulations at all times and cost; we passed our last audit by the FDA with no findings. We recently passed CHAP’s audit and will be recommended for certification for the next three years.

The Q.A. team is personally involved with the qualification process of our suppliers, monitors their performance at all times, makes recommendations to improve quality, approves the acceptance of critical medical devices and components, has implemented the Quality System processes and procedures as they are used throughout VQ OrthoCare; audits the patients’ files to make sure they are in compliance with the fraud and abuse regulations in addition to requirements established by Medicare, Advamed, etc.
 
—VP, Quality Assurance/Regulatory Affairs

©2010 VQ OrthoCare. All Rights Reserved.

If the patient is able to reduce their medications or stop taking them altogether, they should benefit from avoiding their side-effects (which include nausea, sleepiness, addiction, and liver damage).  The physician should benefit from the patient managing their own pain, avoiding side effects, and having to call for prescription re-fills and/or dosage modification.

Electrotherapy is a long-used, well-proven, non-invasive treatment for pain reduction, muscle stimulation, and increase in circulation.  While other companies manufacture products that provide one or two of these treatments, VQ OrthoCare has a broad product offering, including the OrthoStim3 and SurgiStim3 that provide all three therapies, programmed specifically for each patient’s requirements.  Simple for the patient to use, the OrthoStim3 and SurgiStim3 are lightweight, portable, and have a modem that communicates with VQ OrthoCare’s 24-hour Patient Care department.  This allows for remote programming, trouble-shooting, and the ability to track device usage, in order to help the physician optimize his care.

I joined VQ OrthoCare because of the company’s “Patient-Centered Solutions” philosophy.  I am committed to making our advanced, yet simple to use, electrotherapy devices more readily available for patients, by demonstrating their clinical efficacy to physicians, patients, and payors.  I am focused on providing educational materials, in the form of case reports, clinical bulletins, and continuing education programs to help accomplish this.

—Product Marketing Manager for Electrotherapy

©2010 VQ OrthoCare. All Rights Reserved.