INTRODUCTION
Minimally invasive joint replacement, intended to improve outcomes for patients by reducing hospital stay and rehabilitation time, has received
more attention than any other topic in the joint replacement market in 2003. Skeptics and proponents have been vocal in debating the merits of these
procedures, which will likely impact the market for years to come.
SCOPE OF THE REPORT
- Transcripts of interviews with nine opinion leading surgeons on the topic of minimally invasive hip and knee replacement surgery
- Topics include available techniques and their respective advantages and disadvantages, unmet needs, and suggestions for improving the procedures
- Insight into surgeon opinion on navigation and computer-assisted surgery, and the potential for a marriage with minimally invasive surgery
- Overview of the following: two-incision and single-incision hip replacement, short-incision knee replacement, and unicondylar knee replacement
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS
Early results indicate that minimally invasive hip and knee replacement is the next great leap forward in joint surgery. Surgeons and patients have
shown great interest in the potential for these techniques, although skepticism continues from many surgeons.
Companies must address the early
questions and skepticism of many doctors through detailed studies if they plan to leverage minimally invasive surgery into implant sales growth.
Navigation
is seen by many as a toy, but minimally invasive surgery may represent the 'killer app' that these systems have needed for market penetration, which
has been limited due to the cost and time involved in applying the technologies in the operating room.
KEY REASONS TO BUY THIS REPORT
- Identify the unmet needs with these relatively new techniques to shape marketing and development strategies
- Understand surgeon opinion regarding various techniques, the creation of new implants, and the role of patient marketing in this market segment
- Evaluate the potential for navigation to impact open and minimally invasive joint replacement