U.S. Trauma Fixation Device Market Unaffected by Economic Slowdown

The United States market for trauma fixation devices will remain highly dynamic over the next five years, with competitors introducing specialized devices in previously underserved segments, fueling market growth. These are the latest findings of the Millennium Research Group (MRG, Toronto, ON, Canadat), a leading provider of strategic information to the healthcare sector.

According to the report, trauma device manufacturers are becoming increasingly focused on developing products that are suited for specific anatomical locations. Low-profile plating systems, for example, have grown in popularity for extremity fixation procedures, where soft tissue coverage is minimal and thicker systems often cause irritation. Polyaxial plating systems are also penetrating the market since these systems improve screw placement, a particularly important feature when a surgeon is securing small bone fragments near periarticular surfaces. These devices are designed to fit the unique contours of periarticular surfaces, allowing for improved screw placement around small bone fragments to achieve adequate fracture reduction. Because surgeons are primarily focused on attaining the most secure fixation possible, significant market opportunity exists for companies that introduce advanced or specialized trauma fixation technologies.

"Niche companies have gained a foothold in the market by focusing on innovation and technological advancement in fixation devices for the hand, wrist, foot and ankle, and in 2009 many saw their revenue grow faster than the overall market,” said MRG research analyst Melissa Hussey. "This dynamic has created a number of partnership or acquisition opportunities between small companies with unique product offerings and large companies with wide distribution networks.”

MRG reports that the U.S. markets for trauma devices has reached a volume of nearly U.S. $3 billion, and predicts that emerging trends will fuel product adoption and market growth for plates and screws, intramedullary nails, cannulated screws, conventional hip screws, ancillary devices, external fixation devices, and long-bone stimulation devices through 2014.

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