According to a new report by Life Science Intelligence (LSI), 2009 Global Small Joint Implant Markets, the global market for small joint implants is expected to reach $1.8 billion in 2015. Regional markets will differ with respect to the prevalence of conditions that contribute to small joint disease, the availability of different products, and factors that influence the provision of healthcare.

In the U.S., the adoption of products which are already well-established in Europe, such as reverse shoulder replacements and mobile-bearing devices for total ankle arthroplasty (TAA), will help to drive revenue growth. Favorable demographics and good clinical outcomes will contribute to greater procedure volumes for shoulder arthroplasty. Renewed interest in TAA and the availability of a range of partial and total replacement products for the fingers and hand should help to spur growth in joint arthroplasty. Internal fixation products will continue to present attractive opportunities due to favorable outcomes.

The European region is characterized by an aging population that is driving the demand for small joint implants. While cost containment efforts will continue to influence prices and product purchases, revenue growth is expected to remain strong. In addition, the availability of a range of joint replacement products will contribute to procedure growth in many European countries.

The Asia-Pacific & Rest-of-the-World regions present a more complicated picture. In some countries, suppliers have encountered challenges with respect to regulatory processes and distribution channels, which have limited the availability of certain products. While these challenges are expected to persist in the future, demographics and increasing demand for small joint implants will drive growth in the region.

This report examines the market for joint replacement products for the fingers and hand, wrist, elbow, shoulder, and ankle and foot, as well as internal fixation devices used to fuse or stabilize the small joints.