ARTICLES

J&J dropped the news yesterday that they're looking into selling off DePuy Synthes. Honestly, we've been calling this move ever since the spin-off wrapped up. But here's what everyone in the industry is really wondering about: Who could realistically buy an asset of this size and complexity? A rare… and complicated opportunity DePuy Synthes remains one of the leading … [Read more...] about DePuy Synthes for Sale: Who Could Actually Buy the Orthopedic Giant?

Powehi Medical, a young spine startup focused on fixation systems and less rigid stability concepts, recently experienced a situation far more common in MedTech than many founders initially expect. After receiving its first European patent grant, a Swiss spine company filed an opposition at the European Patent Office (EPO). This was not a lawsuit. For a startup, it can be … [Read more...] about Innovation on Hold: How EPO Oppositions Affect Spine Startups — The Powehi Medical Case

For years, spine surgery has been performed under the assumption of adequate bone quality: stiffer implants, larger corrections, more instrumented levels, and increasing use of MIS in older patients. But demographics changed before surgical philosophy did. Today, the typical degenerative case is less often a middle-aged disc herniation and increasingly an elderly patient. … [Read more...] about Most Spine Failures Are Predictable — The Bone Problem in Spine Surgery Nobody Budgets For

In less than a decade, expandable interbody cages have evolved from a niche concept into one of the fastest-growing segments in lumbar fusion. The global interbody cage market is estimated at roughly $3–3.5 billion annually, with expandable designs already representing a substantial portion of posterior lumbar procedures — corresponding to an estimated $700 million to $1.1 … [Read more...] about Expandable cages were adopted not because they fused better, but because they made fusion easier to perform. Review of 64 TLIF/PLIF Expandable Systems (2026 Update)

Expandable interbody cages have earned their place in modern lumbar fusion—not because they’re trendy, but because they’ve genuinely changed what surgeons can accomplish. The ability to restore disc height and segmental lordosis through controlled, in‑situ expansion has reshaped surgical strategy in meaningful ways. Add to that the smaller insertion profiles, reduced endplate … [Read more...] about Why Expandable Cages Sometimes Lose Lordosis After Lumbar Fusion

Today I read a comment on LinkedIn by Mace Horoff about loyalty in medical devices. It is a message that is more than applicable to the spine implants world, where strong and long-lasting relationships with customers are built over many years. In this business, we don’t just manage accounts. We build real human relationships. We get to know families, share trips, attend … [Read more...] about Loyalty in the Spine Industry: Real, Valuable… and Never Permanent

The cervical degenerative spine market has changed over the years. At the beginning of the 90s, cervical plates were the gold standard for degenerative indications. Later, in that decade, interbody cages appeared for the first time. They provided primary fixation solving the problem of bone graft resorption. However, they have to be used in conjunction with a cervical … [Read more...] about (UPDATED 2026) More Than 100 Options, No Single Winner: Understanding Cervical Stand-Alone Cages!

In the 1990s, the first spine navigation systems were introduced. They represented a true revolution, assisting surgeons during screw placement by providing more information and therefore greater safety. Many years passed before robotic systems and other advanced technologies appeared, and only quite recently did this market begin to develop significantly. However, … [Read more...] about Seven Leading Augmented (AR) and Extended Reality (XR) Systems in Spine Surgery

The spinal implants market in Australia is a mature, highly regulated sector dominated by large multinational companies. However, in recent years, there has been growing interest in local innovation, particularly in areas such as 3D printing, implant customization, and minimally invasive approaches. What is the Australian spine market like? Depending on the definition … [Read more...] about Australia’s Spine Market 2026: Growth, Top Local Implant Companies, and Key Challenges

Lumbar fusion has been—and continues to be—the standard treatment for degenerative lumbar spine conditions associated with instability and pain. However, one of its unintended consequences is the loss of motion at the treated segment, which may accelerate adjacent segment degeneration and limit patient function. To avoid these drawbacks and offer an alternative capable of … [Read more...] about Beyond Fusion: Lumbar Motion-Preserving Technologies?

Today, we want to review the year’s most significant spine product launches and the key trends that have shaped the industry. Innovation in spine continues: from advanced implants and materials to software, navigation, and surgeon-oriented solutions. What Have Been the Major Spine Product Launches in 2025? 2025 Spine Product Launch Trends: 1.-From Implant to … [Read more...] about 2025 Spine Product Launches and Trends: Where is the Industry Heading?

There are words I approach with caution: rationalize, optimize. They matter, but when they become the main focus, the culture and purpose starts to change. The economy works because people and companies exist to solve problems, create value, and contribute to society. Money should be the consequence, not the objective. For a long time, vocation and doing things right came … [Read more...] about A Reflection: Is Excellence in the Spine Business an Option?

In 2025, the spinal implants industry has experienced a year of significant strategic moves and major changes. Several companies have chosen to exit this business, either due to a lack of focus or because they see more profitable opportunities in other markets. Among all the transactions and restructurings, six events stand out as particularly important: 1. Stryker Sells … [Read more...] about Top Six Spine Industry Milestones in 2025

Recently, during a meeting with spine surgeons, a formal discussion arose over a meal about a common patient concern: whether traveling by airplane after spinal surgery may cause problems with airport metal detectors. More specifically, the topic was: “Will my spinal implant set off metal detectors at the airport?” During that discussion, the short answer was: most of the time, … [Read more...] about Do Spinal Implants Trigger Airport Metal Detectors? Evidence-Based Guidance

The global posterior cervical spine system market was valued at approximately USD 2,000 million in 2024. It is expected to grow to around USD 3,800 million by 2035, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 6.0% from 2025 to 2035 (WiseGuy Reports, 2024). A more specific report focusing on posterior cervical fixation and reconstruction systems estimates that … [Read more...] about 2025 Update: Posterior Cervical Spine Systems Market – 70 Products: Current Landscape

Today I came across the following article titled “The Spinal Surgeries That Didn’t Need to Happen — As much as half of all spinal fusions don’t alleviate pain — why do doctors perform so many?”, published in the Intelligencer section of New York Magazine. The piece examines the growing phenomenon of spinal fusion surgeries in the United States and raises a troubling … [Read more...] about The Spinal Surgeries That Didn’t Need to Happen?

I know what I’m about to say may sound unusual, and many of you might not agree at first. But I’m also sure that everyone who truly knows this market will understand exactly what I mean.In the spine implant industry, the role of the sales representative is quite unique. Unlike in other fields, surgeons do not “buy” implants in the traditional sense. Their choice depends not … [Read more...] about Can a Spine Sales Rep Be as Crucial as the Implant Itself?

Some thoughts on distributors and their current role.... Markets evolve over time, and the spinal implant industry is no exception. Over the past three decades, it has transformed from being dominated by a few companies—such as Sofamor Danek, Acromed, Synthes, and Aesculap—offering a limited range of products, to a highly diversified and competitive field. What once … [Read more...] about Beyond Sales: How Can Distributors Redefine Their Value in Spine Care? Do They Still Have a Future?

Back in the early 2000s, lumbar artificial disc replacements were introduced as a fresh alternative for people dealing with degenerative spine problems. Instead of locking the vertebrae together through fusion, these implants aimed to keep the spine moving naturally, reduce strain on nearby segments, and help patients get back to normal life.Over time, though, the initial … [Read more...] about Why Lumbar Artificial Disc Replacements Are Poised to Make a Comeback?