According to Millennium Research Group’s (MRG’s) US Markets for Large-Joint Reconstructive Implants 2009 report, hip resurfacing will be the fastest-growing segment of the large-joint reconstructive implant market through 2013, rising at a compound annual growth rate of over 25%.
Hip resurfacing is championed as a bone-preserving alternative to total hip replacement and is often recommended for younger, more active patients. As of March 2009, only two hip resurfacing products were approved by the FDA for marketing in the US–Smith & Nephew’s BIRMINGHAM HIP Resurfacing System, which was introduced in May 2006, and Corin Group’s Cormet Hip Resurfacing System, which has been exclusively distributed by Stryker in the US as of July 2007. A number of competing resurfacing products from other orthopedic companies are expected to hit the market over the next five years. These product launches will be accompanied by increased surgeon training on total hip resurfacing procedure techniques, improving both awareness and availability of this surgical treatment.
“Earlier intervention with regard to large-joint pain and the growing patient awareness of reconstructive implant treatment options are fueling growth in the total hip resurfacing market,” says Kevin Flewwelling, Manager of the Orthopedics division at MRG. “Total hip resurfacing offers greater range of motion and bone preservation compared to primary total hip arthroplasty (THA), making it more suitable for active patients who are likely to outlive their first implant. Because of its bone-preserving characteristics, hip resurfacing eases a revision procedure should one become necessary.”
Accompanying the trend of joint replacement in younger patients is the growing preference for implant materials that are more wear resistant. Primary THA implants with metal-on-metal (MOM) or ceramic-on-ceramic (COC) bearing surfaces have lower rates of friction compared to traditional metal-on-polyethylene bearings, making these implants most suitable for younger patients, for whom longer-lasting implants are necessary.
In particular, new MOM large-diameter femoral heads are gaining popularity because the implants improve hip range of motion and stability and reduce the occurrence of revision surgery due to dislocation. Because of these benefits, it has been suggested that large-diameter MOM femoral heads are a good alternative to hip resurfacing. The continued development of these components will somewhat limit growth in the resurfacing market but, at the same time, will lead to further penetration of MOM bearing surface materials.
MRG’s US Markets for Large-Joint Reconstructive Implants 2009 report provides coverage of key industry competitors, including Biomet, DePuy, Exactech, Smith & Nephew, Stryker, Wright Medical Technology, Zimmer, and many more.
Source: Millennium Research Group
published: March 26, 2009 in: Healthcare, Knee, News, Orthopaedics, Products, Specialty