HealthTronics, Inc. Enters Veterinary Market Through Agreement With Shock Waves, Inc

Business Wire, March 23, 2000

Business Editors

MARIETTA, Ga,--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 23, 2000

HealthTronics, Inc. (NASDAQ:HTRN) has entered into an agreement with Shock Waves, Inc., to introduce the EquiTron(TM) into the United States.

The EquiTron is a veterinary extracorporeal shock wave therapy system (VESWT) designed specifically for the treatment of animals. Shock Waves, Inc., the first VESWT company to treat equine patients in the United States and the well established leader in VESWT research, offers HealthTronics a significant entree into the equine, canine and feline veterinary medical markets--estimated to include seven million horses and 60 million dogs and cats.

Shock Waves Inc. has placed the first EquiTron(TM) at Purdue University and has committed to place additional units over the next two years. "We welcome this strong relationship with HealthTronics. The unique technology of the EquiTron allows Shock Waves Inc. to offer a wider range of treatment protocols, reducing the need to anesthetize many of our VESWT equine patients," said SWI President, Tom Brooks. SWI is also exploring VESWT's application in the treatment of small animal musculoskeletal conditions such as canine tendinitis and hip dysplasia.

Veterinary use of non-invasive shock wave lithotripsy was introduced in the United States by Shock Waves Inc. in the spring of 1998. During initial clinical trials at Interstate Equine Services in Oklahoma, Dr. G. David McCarroll found VESWT particularly effective in the treatment of navicular disease, arthritic changes in the hock and saucer fractures. SWI began Equitripsy clinical trials at Purdue University in June 1999 under the direction of Dr. Scott McClure, Assistant Professor of Veterinary Clinical Sciences. Dr. McClure is studying the effectiveness of Equitripsy in healing equine musculoskeletal problems such as long bone fractures, osteo-degenerative conditions, sesamoid fractures, navicular disease and tendinitis.

Note to Investors: This press release contains certain statements of a forward-looking nature relating to future events or the future financial performance of HealthTronics. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements include the risks described in various SEC filings.

For more information contact Argil J. Wheelock, CEO, or Roy S. Brown, President, at 800/464-3795.