US Spinal Implant Market to Show Modest Growth to $5.5 Billion by 2016

TORONTO — According to Millennium Research Group (MRG), the global authority on medical technology market intelligence, the United States spinal implant market will show modest growth, reaching a value of just over $5.5 billion by 2016. Smaller niche manufacturers have been seeking out untapped market segments in this otherwise heavily penetrated market.
In spite of the highly commoditized nature of the spinal implant market, companies that diversify their portfolios with innovatively designed spinal implants will be better positioned to increase market share. Examples of companies with innovative products include Spinal Elements, with the recent launch of its Lucent polyetheretherketone (PEEK) interbody device (IBD), with a plasma-sprayed titanium porous coating, and Zimmer Spine with its porous metal IBD, the Ardis Interbody System. The IBD segment is expected to grow faster than the overall market, from over $1.2 billion in 2011 to over $1.5 billion in 2016.“Nonfusion technologies also represent an area with potential,” said MRG Analyst René Azeez. “This segment will grow rapidly, averaging almost 12 percent revenue growth per year through 2016. Admittedly, the current lack of long-term clinical data supporting the efficacies of these technologies will be a significant obstacle. Current trials are expected to provide clinical evidence that would support increasing adoption by surgeons.”There are a number of trials under way that should have significant effects on this market. For example, LDR Spine is expected to release favorable results in 2013 for a trial establishing the efficacy of their MOBI-C cervical artificial disc for two adjacent levels. The results of this and similar clinical trials are expected to encourage reimbursement for multi-level cervical artificial discs and also to increase the number of units per procedure. Facet arthroplasty device and nuclear disc prostheses will enter the market toward 2016, making the nonfusion technology segment more attractive to competitors.Millennium Research Group’s US Markets for Spinal Implants 2012 report includes procedure, unit, average selling price and revenue information, along with market drivers and limiters and competitive landscape for spinal fusion implants and spinal nonfusion technologies sold in the United States.