Market Trends of Global Cartilage Repair/Regeneration Industry
The Knee Application Segment is Expected to Witness Considerable Growth During the Forecast Period
The knee is the largest joint in the body, and most of the body weight goes through the knee when a person walks. Cartilage damage is a relatively common injury that often affects the knees. The knee segment is likely to grow during the forecast period due to increasing cases of knee injuries, arthritis, and the rising prevalence of osteoarthritis. The segment is further expected to be driven by the increased efforts of the market players to introduce new products for knee cartilage regeneration.
The increasing volume of research studies in the knee cartilage arena and increased efforts to evaluate the role of biomaterials in knee cartilage repair are further projected to drive segment uptake. Such studies are expected to extract new findings and are further expected to drive novel innovations in the market. For instance, in August 2024, scientists from Northwestern University developed a bioactive material that regenerated cartilage in the knee of large animal models. Such growing research efforts promise to develop new-generation cartilage regeneration products for the knees.
In addition, the surge in the adoption of new implant-based products for knee cartilage repair by healthcare facilities is further expected to augment segment growth over the coming years. For instance, in March 2024, orthopedic surgeons from UC Davis Health used the CartiHeal Agili-C Cartilage Repair Implant to relieve the knee pain of the patient. Such growing product adoption rates are expected to create new demand for cutting-edge knee cartilage products, which is projected to accelerate segment expansion over the coming years.
Moreover, the increased efforts by the market players to bolster market shares are expected to accelerate segment growth during the forecast period. For instance, in March 2023, Hy2Care initiated the next phase of its ACTIVE clinical study to enhance cartilage repair in the knee joint. The company took this step after completing the initial safety group of 10 patients. Such efforts by companies to develop new potential cartilage repair products highlight their increased initiatives to develop knee cartilage repair products.
Also, the presence of supportive regulatory legislation is further expected to fuel industry uptake over the coming years. For instance, in July 2022, Orthox Limited secured approval for the FFLEX (FibroFix Cartilage Repair Experience) study. The study received funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), the Wellcome Trust, and the European Innovation Council (EIC) accelerator. The funded study aimed to evaluate the safety and performance of the Orthox FibroFix Cartilage P (FibroFix) implant, along with supplementary surgical instruments, in patients suffering from cartilage injuries in the knee joints. Such funding activities are expected to accelerate the development of new knee cartilage repair products, and this is further projected to boost segment expansion.
Therefore, the abovementioned factors, such as growing research activities, increased adoption of knee cartilage repair products, and strategic initiatives undertaken by market players, are expected to support market uptake over the coming years.
North America is Expected to Witness Healthy Growth During the Forecast Period
North America is expected to witness considerable growth in the cartilage repair market. The key driving factors of the North American cartilage repair market are the increasing incidence of bone and joint disorders, the rising geriatric population, and the increased incidence of sports injuries.
The growing burden of musculoskeletal disorders in the region is expected to drive demand for cartilage repair products to restore altered functions of bones and muscles. For instance, according to data published by the National Center For Health Statistics (NCHS), in February 2024, the age-adjusted prevalence of diagnosed arthritis in adults aged 18 and older was 18.9%, with women (21.5%) more likely to have arthritis than men (16.1%) in 2022.
Similarly, the growing incidence of spinal cord injuries and deformities further enhanced the demand for cell-based cartilage repair products in the region. For instance, according to a May 2023 report of Spinal Cord Inc., around 18,000 new spinal cord injuries occur each year in the United States, with an annual incidence rate of 54 cases per 1 million. This exponential rise in disease burden is anticipated to fuel the demand for cartilage repair products, and this is ultimately expected to accelerate market uptake over the coming years.
In addition, the high number of car crashes and car accidents are projected to have a high burden of knee damage and torn cartilage, which is expected to propel demand for knee cartilage repair products over the study period. For instance, according to the data updated by the Amaro Law Firm in March 2023, car accident results are one the key reasons for musculoskeletal injuries in the United States, and at least 7.3 million motor vehicle accidents are said to occur each year across the nation. The source also stated an estimated 19,937 car crashes every day in the United States. This high volume of road accidents is further expected to augment the demand for cartilage regeneration solutions to restore the normal functioning of muscles.
Also, the growing advancements in chondrocyte-based cartilage repair and the rising adoption of these methods in the knee and other joint-related issues are anticipated to foster market uptake over the study period. For instance, according to an article by Biomedicines in June 2024, allogeneic chondrocyte therapies are in high demand across the United States due to their effective cartilage repair capabilities. Such advances in new therapies and the adoption of chondrocyte-based cartilage repair are expected to drive regional market growth during the study period.
Hence, factors such as the growing burden of musculoskeletal disorders, increasing road accidents, and technological advancements are expected to boost market growth during the study period.
