Spinal Orthopaedics: A bright future for new technologies?

Abstract

Spinal motion preservation is just one of the hot topics to capture the industry' s attention - but what are the relative strengths and weaknesses of the new approaches and to what degree will they impact fusion as the preferred treatment of choice in the future?

The array of non-fusion technologies being introduced to the market offers a great deal of promise for spinal surgery patients.

However, despite the fact that some of these technologies have been in use in Europe and other international markets for many years, the clinical outcomes data available are extremely limited in proportion to the tens of thousands of fusion procedures performed.

In addition, as regulatory clearance criteria in the US and Japan are by far the most rigorous in the world, the paucity of well-designed studies to prove the safety and effectiveness of artificial discs has hindered the launch of motion preservation products, and therefore growth, in these markets.

Competing technologies are changing the treatment landscape

Although there has been much focus in recent years on the potential of total or partial spinal disc replacement technologies, these devices have so far failed to live up to expectations. There clearly is a need for a viable alternative to fusion and a more promising motion preservation option, dynamic stabilisation, may provide a solution for some patients. Dynamic stabilisation preserves the intervertebral disc and vertebral structure, while also enabling a minimally-invasive posterior approach.

In addition to treatments for degenerative disc disease and deformity, the treatment of vertebral compression fractures is becoming increasingly important. Fractures are often caused by osteoporosis or cancer and their number is therefore increasing with the ageing of the population. Minimally-invasive treatments, such as vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty, that work quickly to stabilise fractures and relieve pain are being rapidly adopted and this segment of the spinal market, termed the ageing spine category, is becoming a major focus for spinal manufacturers.

• Comprehensive market forecasts of key technology sectors to 2012
• A thorough review of the spinal orthopaedic market worldwide
• An examination of key products:
  • Fusion
  • Biologic Products
  • Dynamic Stabilisation
  • Total/Partial Disc Replacement
  • Annular Repair
  • Facet Replacement
  • Fracture Treatment
• A competitive review and market share estimates for the 12 leading companies
• A review of 71 companies developing novel spinal treatments and technologies

• What factors will drive the nucleus replacement market to revenues of $450 million in 2012?
• What impact will the increasing use of minimally- invasive surgical techniques have on the disc fusion sector?
• What % of the global market will dynamic stabilisation systems command in 2012?
• What is the potential for minimally-invasive spinal technology?
• How might Synthes and DePuy challenge Medtronic' s domination of the spinal sector?
• Which emerging US company successfully launched a lumbar TDR product in Europe in May 2008?
• Why is industry interest in vertebral compression fractures increasing?