2004 Olympic Champion, Paul Hamm, 'Ready to Give it His All in Beijing'

World champion gymnast recovers from hand surgery, grateful to the hand
surgeon who made recovery possible

ROSEMONT, Ill., June 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Paul Hamm arrived in
Philadelphia today with his eye toward making the 2008 men's U.S. Olympic
gymnastics team. While Hamm is recovering quickly from hand surgery, he will
sit out the U.S. Olympic Team Trials and petition for a spot on the team. Hamm
is spending his recovery time helping other patients in need of hand, wrist,
elbow or shoulder surgery obtain information and resources to receive proper
treatment from a "hand surgeon," the specialists for these areas of the body.
Hamm is partnering with the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH), a
group of board certified, highly trained hand surgeons, to spread the word.

"I partnered with the hand society because my hand surgeon helped me get back
into medal contention shape," said Paul Hamm, world champion gymnast. "I saw
first-hand the tremendous work these specialists do and I consider my surgeon,
Dr. Lawrence Lubbers, a key member of my Beijing support team. I wanted others
to know how to get help if they are having problems with their hands, wrists,
elbows or shoulders."

Hamm broke the fourth metacarpal (one of the bones between his wrist and
fingers) in his right hand last month during his parallel bar routine at the
U.S. men's gymnastics championships in Houston. Over the last three weeks, he
put his faith and hopes for another Olympic gold medal in the hands of hand
surgeon, and member of ASSH, Dr. Lubbers.

"Paul Hamm's recovery has been remarkable. Once he understood that it was
possible to achieve fracture healing and return to competition within such a
short window of time, he was fully committed to the program," said Lawrence
Lubbers, M.D., attending physician at Riverside Methodist Hospital in the
section of orthopedic and hand surgery; founding partner Hand and Microsurgery
Associates, Columbus, OH and clinical associate professor in orthopedics at
the Ohio State University. "Right now, his fracture is healing in an
accelerated fashion. He achieved full mobility within a week and he started
strengthening within two weeks of surgery. We are now working to help him
train appropriately as the hand regains full strength."

Hamm says that the quality of the surgery as well as the results have helped
place him back in medal contention. "I need to thank Dr. Lubbers for his work
on my hand. Thanks to him, I am on the path to full-recovery and ready to take
on the world's best gymnasts in Beijing later this summer."

"Hamm's conditioning program hardly missed a beat and I am delighted that hand
surgery assisted Paul in his return to competition. As a practicing hand
surgeon for more than 25 years, I have had the opportunity to treat thousands
of patients in need. In hand injuries, 50 percent of the quality of the result
is due to the post-operative management. As with all my patients, I will
manage Paul's post-operative care during this critical time period and support
him throughout his recovery," said Dr. Lubbers.

Where to Go for Help
While Paul is an athlete who depends on his hands for each competition,
everyone needs the full use of their hands. Patients experiencing problems
with their hand, wrist, elbow, or shoulder may locate a skilled surgeon by
logging on to the Hand Society's website at www.handcare.org and clicking on
"Find a Hand Surgeon."

About Hand Surgeons
Hand surgeons have received specialized additional training in the treatment
of hand problems in addition to their board certified specialty training in
orthopaedic surgery, plastic surgery, or general surgery. To become members of
the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, hand surgeons must have
completed a full year of such additional training and must pass a rigorous
certifying examination.

Many hand surgeons also have expertise with problems of the elbow, arm, and
shoulder. Some hand surgeons treat only children, some treat only adults, and
some treat both. Common problems treated include carpal tunnel syndrome,
tennis elbow, wrist pain, sports injuries of the hand and wrist, fractures of
the hand, wrist, and forearm, and trigger fingers. Other problems treated by
hand surgeons include arthritis, nerve and tendon injuries, and congenital
limb differences (birth defects).

Not all problems treated by a hand surgeon need surgery. Hand surgeons often
recommend non-surgical treatments, such as medication, splints, therapy, and
injections. Hand surgeons are specialists devoted to hand care.

About the ASSH
The mission of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) is to
advance the science and practice of hand surgery through education, research
and advocacy on behalf of patients and practitioners. Founded in 1946, the
American Society for Surgery of the Hand is the oldest medical specialty
society in the United States devoted entirely to continuing medical education
related to hand surgery.

SOURCE American Society for Surgery of the Hand

Jennifer Gremmels of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand,
+1-847-384-8300 ext. 150