Market Trends of North America Sports Medicine Industry
The Shoulder Injuries Segment is Expected to Witness Significant Growth During the Forecast Period
Shoulder injuries often involve the soft tissue of the joint, such as the tendons, ligaments, and muscles, rather than the bones located there. Meanwhile, shoulder injuries develop gradually with repetitive overhead movements or constant swinging or throwing actions. The sports with greater risk of developing shoulder injuries include tennis, baseball and softball, swimming, football, and volleyball.
The increasing burden of shoulder injuries among the population, especially sportspersons, is the key factor driving the demand for various sports medicines, which is expected to propel the segment's growth during the forecast period. For instance, according to an article published by MDPI in May 2022, it has been stated that nearly 9,000 cases of shoulder dislocation were observed in the United States, with an incidence of 23.9 per 100,000 person-years. Almost 72% of shoulder injuries occur in males, and nearly one-half occur in patients between the ages of 15 and 29 years. The most frequent cause of dislocation was a fall, which was found in nearly 60% of cases. Therefore, the high incidence of shoulder injuries raises the need for shoulder braces, bandages, and tapes to relieve pain; hence, it is expected to bolster the segment's growth during the forecast period.
Additionally, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), almost 2 million people in the United States visit a healthcare provider with issues related to their rotator cuff every year. Hence, it raises the need for shoulder support that helps to increase blood flow and accelerate the recovery process, thus propelling the demand for shoulder braces and tapes in the market. Thus contributing to the segment's growth.
Furthermore, the rising innovation and launch of novel products to treat shoulder injuries are expected to boost the segment's growth during the forecast period. For instance, in February 2024, Smith+Nephew launched its Aetos shoulder system in the United States with additional Food and Drug Administration approval. Similarly, in October 2023, Hyperice launched the latest innovation to its contrast therapy product lineup, the Hyperice X Shoulder, a hot and cold contrast therapy. Hyperice X Shoulder is used to reduce pain and inflammation in the shoulder, thus promoting faster healing. It helps users regain shoulder mobility, relieve pain, and restore quality of life. Therefore, such developments are anticipated to have a positive impact on the segment growth during the forecast period.
Therefore, with the high shoulder injuries and the launch of new products by the key players, the studied segment is expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period.
The United States is Expected to Hold a Significant Market Share During the Forecast Period
The United States is expected to witness significant growth in the market owing to factors such as the increasing popularity of different sports, such as soccer, baseball, and basketball, and the number of players in the country, along with the high prevalence of sports injuries in the United States. In addition, the presence of key players and new product launches are expected to boost the market's growth during the forecast period.
The increasing number of sports injuries in the country is expected to fuel the demand for various surgical procedures and sports medicine products in the market. For instance, according to the data published in the Johns Hopkins Medicine journal in February 2023, about 30 million children and teens participate in some form of organized sports, and more than 3.5 million injuries are reported each year in the United States. Thus, such high cases of sports injuries may increase the adoption rate of sports medicine in the country, hence bolstering the market's growth.
According to the source cited, over 3.5 million children under the age of 14 suffer injuries annually from sports or recreational activities. Additionally, more than 775,000 children in the same age group receive treatment in hospital emergency rooms for such injuries each year. A significant portion of injuries stemmed from falls, object strikes, collisions, and overexertion during informal sports. Consequently, the prevalence of these sports-related injuries could drive up the demand for sports medicine in the country during the forecast period.
Furthermore, according to the data published by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) in March 2023, an estimated 5.2 million sports injuries were reported in the United States in 2022. The same source also highlighted the trend of severity of overall sports injuries, especially head and neck injuries, which are rising in the United States. The increasing incidence of sports injuries is expected to boost the demand for orthobiologics, bandages, and braces. In severe cases, surgeries may be necessary. This increasing trend is projected to drive the market's growth in the coming years.
Moreover, favorable strategic initiatives by the key players, such as new product launches and strategic partnerships, are also expected to surge the market's growth during the forecast period. For instance, in November 2023, Pristine Surgical launched Summit 4K, a single-use surgical arthroscope in centers around the United States, after the first-in-human procedure this year. Summit is a first-of-its-kind 4K single-use surgical arthroscope designed to address the difficulties of traditional surgical visualization.
Similarly, in January 2023, WillowWood Global LLC formed a strategic alliance with Reboocon Bionics BV, the manufacturer of the motorized prosthetic knee, INTUY Knee. The alliance will focus on outcomes research, exclusive market distribution in the United States, and research and development collaboration to advance the next generation of technology.
Thus, owing to the abovementioned factors, such as increasing cases of sports injuries and strategic initiatives by the key players, the market is expected to grow during the forecast period.
