European Market Overview for Large Joint Orthopedic Devices 2016 - MedView

European Market Overview for Large Joint Orthopedic Devices 2016 - MedView

There is a shift in the hip replacement market towards hybrid and cementless devices, ceramic on HCPE and ceramic on ceramic bearing hip replacements. A cementless component, also known as press-fit, carries a higher price tag than a cemented one. Often, such components include special porous metals which improve implant lifespan by increasing friction. Similarly, ceramic is more expensive than metal and its increased usage will drive market prices. These shifts will buoy pricing on implants, which are otherwise under governmental pressure to decrease. Two trends in Europe are resulting in younger patients requiring joint replacement. The first is the growth of an active population and the other is a separate growing obesity rate. Both shifts result in younger patients requiring joint replacement, which in turn drives the revision market as such patients will outlive their primary implant.

The full report suite on the European market for orthopedic large joint replacement devices includes knee and hip replacement, as well as bone cement utilized with cemented devices. There have been consistent pressures on pricing across Europe due to the economic climate in recent years. While such pressures have lessened, there is no room for increases in average selling prices without new technology. Technological innovation is slow in the mature large joint market.