UTICA, N.Y., Feb 23, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- CONMED Corporation (Nasdaq: CNMD) announced today that its Orthopaedic business unit, ConMed Linvatec, a leader in sports medicine technology, will be launching seven new products at the annual conference of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) in Washington D.C. February 23 - 25, 2005. Following is a summary of the new products:

* The Pinn-ACL(R) CrossPin System for ACL reconstruction is the first
       crosspin device on the market that allows the surgeon to visually
       confirm femoral graft placement and point of fixation.  Pull-out
       strength in excess of 1700 Newtons is a result of the Company's
       proprietary Self Reinforced bioabsorbable technology and unique design
       of the system.

     * The newest addition to ConMed Linvatec's industry-leading portfolio of
       arthroscopic shaver products is the Advantage(R) Turbo Handpiece.  It
       combines the best features of the Company's current line of shaver
       handpieces with lighter weight, higher speed and increased torque.  It
       also offers new enhancements such as custom blade positioning,
       increased aspiration performance and fine-tuned hand controls.

     * With the LightWave(TM) Suction Ablator, ConMed Linvatec expands its
       line of arthroscopic ablation products for precise tissue removal.  It
       incorporates a one-piece integrated handle with a 4 mm electrode and
       center suction for use in arthroscopic knee, shoulder, wrist, elbow and
       ankle procedures.  Surgeons will appreciate the combination of ablation
       with suction enabling increased visualization during ablation
       procedures.

     * ThRevo(TM) is the first triple-loaded suture anchor on the market.
       Unlike all other shoulder anchors that are either single or double
       loaded with sutures, the ThRevo provides surgeons with three suture
       placement options resulting in significantly stronger rotator cuff
       repairs (pending 510K approval).

     * Many of the Company's top selling shoulder anchors for rotator cuff
       repair are now available with pre-threaded Herculine(TM), a new high
       strength, nonabsorbable high tensile strength suture with superior
       handling characteristics.  By combining the superior strength of
       Herculine with the industry's most popular metal and bioabsorbable
       shoulder anchors, ConMed Linvatec continues to reinforce its strong
       leadership position in arthroscopic shoulder implant and
       instrumentation markets.

     * As a result of the Company's continued research and development in
       Powered Surgical Instruments, ConMed Linvatec introduces the Hall(R)
       PowerProMax(TM) Battery Powered System.  For the surgeon, the System
       offers the most powerful, ergonomic and high performance battery-
       powered handpieces on the market.  The System is comprised of six
       highly specialized handpieces, five for total joint reconstruction
       offering maximum power and performance and one smaller handpiece for
       use in small bone applications.

     * The PowerProMax(TM) System also offers the most complete selection of
       Battery Solutions available on the market.  It includes the widest
       range of battery sizes available as well as providing several options
       for battery processing and sterilization.  Four sizes of batteries are
       available ranging from Heavy Duty to the small light weight model
       meeting the specialized balance and weight requirements of trauma, hand
       and foot surgeons.

Joseph J. Corasanti, President and Chief Operating Officer of CONMED commented, "These new orthopaedic products enhance the range of our product offering and allow us to offer our customers the latest in technology for sports medicine and Powered Surgical Instruments. We will continue to expand our product portfolio by concentrating on important new products that meet the needs of our customers."

About CONMED:

CONMED is a medical technology company with an emphasis on surgical devices and equipment for minimally invasive procedures and monitoring. The Company's products serve the clinical areas of arthroscopy, powered surgical instruments, electrosurgery, cardiac monitoring disposables, endosurgery and endoscopic technologies. They are used by surgeons and physicians in a variety of specialties including orthopedics, general surgery, gynecology, neurosurgery, and gastroenterology. Headquartered in Utica, New York, the Company's 2,800 employees distribute its products worldwide from eleven manufacturing locations.

Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking statements based on certain assumptions and contingencies that involve risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and relate to the Company's performance on a going-forward basis. The forward-looking statements in this press release involve risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results, performance or trends, to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements herein or in previous disclosures. The Company believes that all forward-looking statements made by it have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that management's expectations, beliefs or projections as expressed in the forward-looking statements will actually occur or prove to be correct. In addition to general industry and economic conditions, factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to: (i) the failure of any one or more of the assumptions stated above, to prove to be correct; (ii) the risks relating to forward-looking statements discussed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003; (iii) cyclical purchasing patterns from customers, end-users and dealers; (iv) timely release of new products, and acceptance of such new products by the market; (v) the introduction of new products by competitors and other competitive responses; (vi) the possibility that any new acquisition or other transaction may require the Company to reconsider its financial assumptions and goals/targets; and/or (vii) the Company's ability to devise and execute strategies to respond to market conditions.

SOURCE CONMED Corporation

Robert Shallish, Chief Financial Officer of CONMED Corporation, +1-315-624-3206;
Investors - Julie Huang or Lanie Marcus, Media - Sean Leous, all of Financial
Dynamics, +1-212-850-5600, for CONMED Corporation

http://www.prnewswire.com