Despite a lack of devices suitable for Japanese bone structures, sales of
unicondylar knee implants are growing rapidly, according to Millennium
Research Group
WALTHAM, Mass., Nov. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Millennium Research Group
(MRG), the global authority on medical technology market intelligence, bone
disorders that are more prevalent in Japan than in Western countries will
limit surgeon adoption of implant technologies over the next five years. MRG's
Japanese Markets for Large-Joint Reconstructive Implants 2010 report finds
however, growth of hip and unicondylar knee resurfacing implant sales will be
robust through 2014 despite a lack of products that can be used in all
patients.
Japanese bone morphology differs from that of Europeans and Americans. Because
most unicondylar knee implants are designed for Western legs, some surgeons in
Japan are reluctant to perform unicondylar knee replacements. High tibial
osteotomy, an alternative, less costly procedure, is often used in place of
unicondylar implants, restricting market growth. Nevertheless, unicondylar
knee replacement is less invasive than total knee replacement. Enduring
preference for minimally invasive surgery among most Japanese surgeons will
make the unicondylar knee implant market the fastest-growing segment of the
Japanese reconstructive knee implant market.
"Combining these factors, the unicondylar knee implant segment will increase
as a share of unit sales in Japan by 2014, but growth will decelerate," says
Melissa Hussey, Analyst at MRG. "Strong market potential exists for companies
who produce a unicondylar implant designed specifically to account for
Japanese bone morphology, particularly as the cohort over the age of 65
expands. Several companies already produce hip implants specifically for the
Japanese population; minimally invasive knee implants targeted for Japanese
patients would therefore represent a significant advantage for these
companies."
The Japanese population is also known to have a high incidence of hip
dysplasia, a congenital defect in which the hip joint is misaligned. The
majority of total hip arthroplasty cases in Japan are related to this
condition, which generally cannot be treated by resurfacing. As a result, the
hip resurfacing implant subsegment, which is rapidly expanding in other
geographies, will experience severely limited growth in Japan.
MRG's new report, Japanese Markets for Large-Joint Reconstructive Implants
2010, provides important insight into the trends that will fuel product use
and market growth for reconstructive hip and knee implants through 2014.
Additionally, the report provides full breakdowns of reconstructive hip and
knee implant procedures and revenues by procedure type. Further detail is
provided thorough examination of trends in the use of cemented, cementless,
and hybrid fixation methods for both hips and knees, as well as mobile and
fixed-bearing knee implants.
About Millennium Research Group
Millennium Research Group (www.MRG.net), a Decision Resources, Inc. company
(www.DecisionResourcesInc.com), is the global authority on medical technology
market intelligence and the leading provider of strategic information to the
health care sector. The company provides specialized industry expertise
through multiclient market research, ongoing Marketrack(TM) projects, customer
loyalty tracking, facility-level procedure forecasting, and customized
solutions.
About Decision Resources, Inc.
Decision Resources, Inc. is a cohesive portfolio of companies that offers
best-in-class, high-value information, and insights on important sectors of
the health care industry. Clients rely on this analysis and data to make
informed decisions. Please visit Decision Resources, Inc. at
www.DecisionResourcesInc.com.
All company, brand, or product names contained in this document may be
trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
For more information, contact:
Amy Krohn
Millennium Research Group
416-364-7776 ext. 101
akrohn@mrg.net
Elizabeth Marshall
Decision Resources Inc.
781-296-2563
emarshall@dresources.com
SOURCE Millennium Research Group
Amy Krohn, Millennium Research Group, +1-416-364-7776 ext. 101,
akrohn@mrg.net; or Elizabeth Marshall, Decision Resources Inc.,
+1-781-296-2563, emarshall@dresources.com
