Author(s):

Jiyu Zhang

Introduction:

The European orthopedic soft tissue solutions market comprises shoulder suture anchors, knee ligament reconstruction devices, knee cartilage repair, meniscus repair devices, and rotator cuff reinforcement grafts. Over the forecast period, revenue expansion will be fueled by rising procedure volumes, which will stem from the aging population and increased physical activity. The over-50 demographic is more prone to injuries due to degenerative conditions, and as a growing number of these individuals sustain injuries during daily activities and participation in sports, demand for orthopedic soft tissue solutions will climb accordingly. In addition, overall average selling prices (ASPs) will rise as premium-priced devices, such as those made from composite materials, are increasingly adopted. Such ASP gains will also contribute to revenue growth. The market will, however, be limited by a lack of reimbursement in several countries that will make hospitals reluctant to purchase more expensive devices. Furthermore, a greater amount of clinical support is required to demonstrate the long-term efficacy of various orthopedic soft tissue solutions in order to boost adoption. Nonetheless, the European orthopedic soft tissue solutions market will grow robustly over the forecast period.

Questions Answered in This Report:

  *   Single-row repairs will remain the most popular form of rotator cuff repair through 2014. Why will single-row repairs remain popular? In which countries is this trend most noticeable? How often will double-row repairs be used during rotator cuff repairs?

  *   The market for interference screws will be the slowest-growing knee ligament reconstruction device segment through 2014. Why is the use of interference screws slowing? What other devices are being adopted in lieu of interference screws? How will this trend impact the ASPs of interference screws?

  *   At the end of 2008, a new Europe-wide framework standardized tissue-engineered products and centralized the regulatory and scientific requirements for these therapies. This will boost the autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) market toward the end of the forecast period because all existing products in the market, as well as those entering, are now required to undergo a centralized marketing authorization procedure, ensuring not only safe and high-quality products throughout Europe but also opening up markets that previously had strict legislation concerning tissue-engineered products. How will the introduction of the Europe-wide regulatory framework for tissue-engineered products affect ACI treatment volumes in every country? What impact will this regulatory framework have on other knee cartilage repair procedures? How are ASPs impacted due to this new regulation?

  *   The number of meniscus repairs performed across Europe will experience solid growth through 2014. Which form of meniscus repair in particular will fuel overall procedural growth? What are the advantages of meniscus repair? How will the different European countries adopt meniscus repair?

  *   Strict reimbursement regulations will hinder the adoption of rotator cuff reinforcement grafts. Which countries will be most severely impacted by these strict reimbursement regulations?

Scope:

Regions covered: France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK

Procedure segmentation: Our analysis uses the following breakdown of procedures:

• Shoulder suture anchor procedures
  • By scope (rotator cuff repair and glenohumeral joint repair)
  • By method (arthroscopic, open, and miniopen)
  • Rotator cuff repair by technique (single-row and double-row)
• Knee ligament reconstruction procedures
  • By scope (autologous chondrocyte transplantation, posterior cruciate ligament, and other)
  • By graft type (bone-patellar tendon-bone, soft tissue, and other)
  • By graft source (autograft and other)
• Knee cartilage repairs
  • Debridement
  • Microfracture/debridement
  • ACI
  • Single-step technologies
  • Osteochondral autografts
  • Osteochondral allografts
  • Synthetic implants
• Meniscus repairs
  • By type (full and partial meniscectomy and meniscus repair)
  • By method (inside-out suturing and all-inside fixation)
• Rotator cuff reinforcement graft procedures

Market segmentation: Our analysis uses the following breakdown of the market:

• Shoulder suture anchors
  • By type (traditional and knotless)
  • By material (titanium, polymer, composite, and polyetheretherketone)
• Knee ligament reconstruction
• Knee cartilage repairs
  • ACI
  • Single-step technologies
  • Osteochondral autografts
  • Osteochondral allografts
  • Synthetic implants
• Meniscus repairs
  • By type (hybrid devices, meniscal tacks, and sutures)
• Rotator cuff reinforcement grafts

Market forecast features: Based on primary research with industry professionals, we use our proprietary forecasting model to provide an in-depth examination of current and future trends in procedure volumes, units, ASPs, and market values over a 7-year period (2008–2014).

Competitive analysis: We provide a detailed analysis of the competitive landscape in the market, as well as market shares and qualitative discussions of the leading competitors in each market segment.