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Raleigh/Durham, NC, September 28, 2009 - Smith & Nephew (NYSE:SNN; LSE: SN) Biologics & Spine has launched an innovative new system for performing transforaminal epidural injections.

The TRUCATH^◊ Spinal Injection System is designed to help reduce the risks¹ associated with epidural pain management procedures.

The unique design enables the physician to position the needle outside the boney structure of the spine, accurately delivering the catheter to the correct transforaminal entry point and reducing the potential for venous and arterial trespass.

Some 80% of the US population1 will suffer from neck or back pain at some point in their lives and an estimated seven million transforaminal epidural injections are expected to be administered this year.

The new injection system was previewed to spine pain management specialists at the recent Association of Interventional Pain Physicians (ASIPP) in Washington D.C. and the International Spine Intervention Society Annual Scientific Meeting in Toronto, Canada.

Ken Reali, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Smith & Nephew Biologics & Spine, commented: “Living with spine pain can be very distressing and epidurals offer an effective, minimally invasive solution for many people. A new injection system designed with additional safety features to reduce the potential for complications should prove an attractive option for both physicians and patients considering this type of treatment.”

The TRUCATH device has been licensed to Smith & Nephew in an exclusive global agreement with Laurimed, a privately-owned medical device company based in Redwood City, CA. It has received FDA clearance for use in injections into the epidural space.

The new injection system is available immediately in the US and is expected to be rolled out in Europe towards the end of the year.

For more information about the new TRUCATH system visit www.trucath.com

Editors Notes:

¹ Reference: Abdi S et al. Epidural Steroids in the Management of Chronic Spinal Pain: Systematic Review. Pain Physician 2007; 10:185-212.

Camilla Harrison +44 (0) 1904 824044

Kate Cralle, Brunswick Group +1 212 333 3810

Smith & Nephew is a global medical technology business, specializing in Orthopaedics, including Reconstruction, Trauma and Clinical Therapies; Endoscopy and Advanced Wound Management. Smith & Nephew is a global leader in arthroscopy and advanced wound management and is one of the leading global orthopaedics companies. Smith & Nephew is dedicated to helping improve people’s lives. The Company prides itself on the strength of its relationships with its surgeons and professional healthcare customers, with whom its name is synonymous with high standards of performance, innovation and trust. The Company operates in 32 countries around the world. Annual sales in 2008 were $3.8 billion.

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In particular, statements regarding planned growth in our business and in our operating margins discussed under "Outlook" are forward-looking statements as are discussions of our product pipeline. These statements, as well as the phrases "aim", "plan", "intend", "anticipate", "well-placed", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target", "consider" and similar expressions, are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors (including, but not limited to, the outcome of litigation and regulatory approvals) that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Smith & Nephew, or industry results, to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Please refer to the documents that Smith & Nephew has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including Smith & Nephew's most recent annual report on Form 20F, for a discussion of certain of these factors. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to Smith & Nephew as of the date hereof. All written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to Smith & Nephew or any person acting on behalf of Smith & Nephew are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing. Smith & Nephew does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in Smith & Nephew's expectation with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.