Europe: Hip Replacements Increase by 33%, Knees by 50% Plus
Between 1998 and 2008, European countries saw a huge increase in hip and knee replacements. This trend is expected to continue, as the prevalence of osteoarthritis goes up during the next few years. Two main factors, which come as no surprise, can be blamed for the rise in this condition--an aging population and the rise of obesity. The report, Health at a Glance: Europe 2010, also states that...
The Future: Orthopaedic Coverage from Head to Toe
When Cayenne Medical (Scottsdale, AZ) was founded in 2005, its vision was to create the complete package for the knee and all soft tissue-type reconstruction. After having success with products designed for this area, the company’s goal has transformed into becoming a one-stop shop for an orthopaedic surgeon.  “Cayenne’s goal is to grow into a comprehensive sports...
Bicompartmental Knees Inch into Total Knee Market
The iDuo G2, from ConforMIS, targets only the diseased portions of the knee. Tissue and bone preservation has become a big deal in orthopaedics. When ConforMIS Inc. came out with technologies that not only precisely fit patients but also avoided removing bone, it was praised for its innovation. Although the company continues to improve its products, John Slamin, senior vice president...
Ortho Industry Digs Beneath the Surface for Success
In the past month alone, orthopaedics companies have laid the grounds for future success. They’ve added jobs, engaged in acquisitions to solidify product lines, and many manufacturers have reported encouraging financial results.    Biomet announced a plan to add nearly 280 jobs to its Warsaw, IN headquarters over the next two years and is spending $26 million on site...
Start-Up Help: OrthoVation Keeps Innovation Local
  In addition to being the president and CEO of MicroPulse (Columbia City, IN), Brian Emerick is an investor. He houses a business incubation center, called the OrthoVation Center, within MicroPulse for orthopaedic start-ups in Indiana. While many start-up companies have a difficult time attracting investors, the OrthoVation Center is helping them succeed. “Start-ups fail many times [...
Biomet, Zimmer, Stryker, Wright Medical, Among Top 25 Medical Device Players
Aside from being top companies within the orthopaedics industry, Biomet, Stryker, Zimmer, Wright Medical, Synthes, and Smith & Nephew are among the top 25 manufacturers in the entire medical device industry. In an article published by MD+DI, Yair Holtzman and Tom Figgatt, Sr of WTP Advisors discuss how these companies successfully made it through the rough economy of the past few years....
Additive Manufacturing a Hot Area in Orthopaedics
Additive manufacturing is getting attention for its ability to accelerate the product development process. The most common types of rapid prototyping methods are additive technologies, meaning that the model is built by adding material layer by layer. By contrast, subtractive prototyping methods create a model by removing material, typically by means of standard machining methods such as...
Device Companies: Attract Investors by Differentiating Yourself
  The orthopedic device industry has taken a beating during the past few years, just as other sectors of the medical device industry have struggled. Although the sector has improved in areas, we are far from recovery and may never get back to the good ol’ days. Competition is fierce and getting products through the arduous FDA process is no picnic. As companies revisit their strategies...
Apps for Bionic Arm Revolutionizes Rehab
A bionic arm developed at MIT has an app that gives users more control. Using the technology with apps also opens up other possibilities Tablets, because they have cameras embedded in them, could enable the bionic arm to be used for remotely based rehab pops up. It also opens up the possiblilty of doing game-based rehab. “This could be used if someone moves x number of degrees, the...
Recovery of Orthopaedics Companies Remains Slow
  In a daily letter from Canaccord Genuity, analysts reiterated a statement made last summer about the end of the glory days in orthopaedics. That is not to say that things won’t get better, but don’t expect to see improvements until the economy as a whole recovers. Three Manufacturers Who Look Good: China Kangui Holdings. The China-based orthopaedics company continues to grow...