KYPH Kyphon (MM)

New Minimally Invasive Procedure for Treating Lumbar Spinal Stenosis SUNNYVALE, Calif., March 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Kyphon Inc. (NASDAQ:KYPH) today announced that Dr. James Zucherman, orthopaedic spine surgeon and medical director of the Spine Center at St. Mary's Hospital in San Francisco, and Julie Tracy, Kyphon's chief communications officer, will be interviewed together on American Health Radio, the nationally-syndicated health radio program hosted by Scott Broder. The program will include questions from listeners on the role of the X-STOP(R) Interspinous Process Decompression (IPD(R)) procedure to treat lumbar spinal stenosis. To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/kyphon/27585/ During the show, Dr. Zucherman will discuss the treatment options available to patients suffering from lumbar spinal stenosis, including the X-STOP(R) device, the first FDA-approved interspinous process device for treating lumbar spinal stenosis. Symptoms from lumbar spinal stenosis often limit a patient's self-supporting daily activities, work, and social and recreational pursuits. Using a minimally invasive surgical procedure to place the X-STOP(R) implant, symptoms are relieved, and patients may return to a more active lifestyle. The program will air live at 6:00 p.m. Central Time on Monday, April 2, 2007 and can be accessed at http://www.wrmn1410.com/. A replay of the program will be available on Wednesday, April 4 at 8:00 p.m. Central Time and on Friday, April 6 at 6:00 p.m. Central Time. Repeat broadcasts will also available at http://www.healthradionetwork.com/. About the X-STOP(R) IPD(R) Procedure The X-STOP(R) device represents a new approach to the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis or LSS. LSS is a common spinal problem suffered mainly by the middle-aged and elderly population and results from a narrowing in the lumbar spinal canal that carries nerves to the legs. As this space in the lower spine shrinks, nerves are squeezed causing debilitating pain in the back and legs. The X-STOP(R) system is the first approved Interspinous Process Spacer in the U.S. to treat LSS. It is designed to limit extension of the lumbar spine and keep the canal open in the lower spine that carries nerves to the legs thereby relieving pain associated with the narrowing of the canal. Patients may experience rapid relief from their symptoms and enjoy improvement of physical function. The unique design of the X-STOP(R) implant enables it to be inserted using a minimally invasive approach, resulting in very little tissue disruption. Also, the X-STOP(R) implant's unique design allows it to be implanted without fixation to bones or ligaments so to provide a reversible procedure that should not limit future treatment options. Due to its minimally invasive nature, the procedure can typically be performed in less than an hour, and as demonstrated during the clinical trial, with a low rate of procedural complications. According to an independent market research organization, there are approximately 1.4 million individuals in the United States with a primary or secondary diagnosis of lumbar spinal stenosis. The X-STOP(R) device may be a treatment alternative for approximately 220,000 of these individuals who would have otherwise been treated with conservative non-operative therapies or with a surgical procedure called a laminectomy. About Kyphon Inc. Kyphon develops and markets medical devices designed to restore and preserve spinal function and diagnose low back pain using minimally invasive technologies. The company's products are used in balloon kyphoplasty for the treatment of spinal fractures caused by osteoporosis or cancer, in the Functional Anaesthetic Discography(TM) procedure for diagnosing the source of low back pain, and in the Interspinous Process Decompression procedure for treating lumbar spinal stenosis. More information about the company and its products can be found at http://www.kyphon.com/ and its patient education Web site, http://www.spinalfracture.com/. NOTE: Functional Anaesthetic Discography is a trademark, and Kyphon, X-STOP, and IPD are registered trademarks, of Kyphon Inc. http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/kyphon/27585DATASOURCE: Kyphon Inc. CONTACT: Investors and Media, Julie D. Tracy, Vice President, Chief Communications Officer, +1-408-548-6687, or Web site: http://www.kyphon.com/ Web site: http://www.healthradionetwork.com/ Web site: http://www.spinalfracture.com/

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