SAN DIEGO, CA--(Marketwire - Feb 5, 2013) -   NuVasive, Inc. (NASDAQ: [ NUVA ]), a medical device company focused on developing minimally disruptive surgical products and procedures for the spine, is pleased to announce that The Better Way Back^®, a NuVasive supported patient education program, has reached over 1,000 active patient ambassadors nationwide.

The Better Way Back's ambassadors are patients who have undergone spine surgery and who volunteer time to share their stories with pre-operative patients who are medically indicated and contemplating spine surgery. Most Better Way Back patient ambassadors are XLIF^® (eXtreme Lateral Interbody Fusion) recipients.

"Reaching 1,000 patient ambassadors is a significant milestone in patient spine care," said Rolf Benirschke, senior partner of Legacy Health Strategies, a patient engagement company that manages The Better Way Back Program. "We have ambassadors in every state who educate and support patients suffering from chronic back and leg pain -- this has offered many patients hope for the future."

Established in 2010, The Better Way Back has been steadfast in its commitment to raising public awareness of spine disorders by educating patients, loved ones, clinicians, and healthcare providers about spine surgery treatment options. By speaking with a patient ambassador who has suffered from a similar condition or selected the same surgeon, patients and their loved ones can receive a balanced perspective on spine treatment options.

"I'm finally able to do some good and give back after my own positive experience with spine surgery," said Kathleen Mosko, a patient ambassador for The Better Way Back. "As an ambassador, I can tell patients that they are not alone and that I understand their pain and concerns. I have spoken with hundreds of patients over the past couple of years and I'm proud to be doing what I do. I know it makes a real difference in the lives of others."

In addition to sharing stories with pre-operative patients, patient ambassadors routinely speak out on behalf of patients who may be too consumed with pain to speak for themselves. By raising awareness with legislative and regulatory decision makers, The Better Way Back community continues to make a nationwide impact by leading the charge to educate patients about spine disorders, innovative treatment options, and positive patient outcomes.

For more information about The Better Way Back or to speak to a Patient Ambassador, please visit [ www.thebetterwayback.org ], or call 1-800-745-7099.

About NuVasive

NuVasive is a medical device company focused on developing minimally disruptive surgical products and procedurally integrated solutions for the spine. The Company is the 4^th largest player in the $8.2 billion global spine market. NuVasive's principal product offering is based on its Maximum Access Surgery, or MAS^® platform. The MAS platform combines several categories of solutions that collectively minimize soft tissue disruption during spine surgery with maximum visualization and safe, easy reproducibility for the surgeon: a proprietary software-driven nerve avoidance system and intra-operative monitoring support; MaXcess^®, a unique split-blade retractor system; a wide variety of specialized implants; and several biologic fusion enhancers. MAS significantly reduces surgery time and returns patients to activities of daily living much faster than conventional approaches. Having redefined spine surgery with the MAS platform's lateral approach, known as eXtreme Lateral Interbody Fusion, or XLIF^®, NuVasive has built an entire spine franchise. With over 80 products today spanning lumbar, thoracic and cervical applications, the Company will continue to expand and evolve its offering predicated on its R&D focus and dedication to outstanding service levels supported by a culture of Absolute Responsiveness^®.

NuVasive cautions you that statements included in this press release that are not a description of historical facts are forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors which, if they do not materialize or prove correct, could cause NuVasive's results to differ materially from historical results or those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The potential risks and uncertainties that could cause actual growth and results to differ materially include, but are not limited to: the risk that NuVasive's revenue or earnings projections may turn out to be inaccurate because of the preliminary nature of the forecasts and the risk of further adjustment,or unanticipated difficulty in selling products or generating expected profitability;the uncertain process of seeking regulatory approval or clearance for NuVasive's products or devices, including risks that such process could be significantly delayed; the possibility that the FDA may require significant changes to NuVasive's products or clinical studies; the risk that products may not perform as intended and may therefore not achieve commercial success; the risk that competitors may develop superior products or may have a greater market position enabling more successful commercialization; the risk that additional clinical data may call into question the benefits of NuVasive's products to patients, hospitals and surgeons; and other risks and uncertainties more fully described in NuVasive's press releases and periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. NuVasive's public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission are available at [ www.sec.gov ]. NuVasive assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances arising after the date on which it was made.