At AAOS 2021, outgoing President Joseph Bosco III, MD, shares the positive changes in orthopedics accelerated by COVID-19 from the move of procedures to ASCs to increased use of technology

Joseph Bosco III, MD, vice-chair of clinical affairs for NYU Langone Orthopedics and outgoing president of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) presided over the Academy during a transformative time accelerated by COVID-19. Dr. Bosco began his presidency in March 2020 just as the pandemic shut down many areas of the US impacting the healthcare system and orthopedic procedures. As Dr. Bosco prepared to turn over the reins at AAOS 2021, he spoke with SmartTRAK about his experience during the year and how the pandemic and technology are creating opportunities and accelerating trends that will change the practice of orthopedics for years to come.

To find out more, click on the following video. A link to download a complete transcript of the interview is also available below.

SmartTRAK: Lisa Mahan here with Smart Track. Today, I have the honor to be talking to Dr. Joseph Bosco, III, outgoing president of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Dr. Bosco, thank you for talking to me today.

Dr. Joseph Bosco: Well, thank you for having me.

Ending your term as president of AAOS must be a bit bittersweet. You've served during a challenging time with the disruption from COVID. How was it navigating through the pandemic?

Q221 brought mixed reviews for Total Joints as Hips exceed pre-COVID levels and Knees fall flat

The Total Joints market accelerated sequentially with a return of patients and procedural volume growth in the quarter. However, compared to 2019, results varied by segment, The Hip Replacement segment put in the best performance with the US Hip Market in Q221 compared to pre-COVID’s Q219 levels. US Knees did not experience the same level of success as revenues were down.

Among the many topics covered in detail in our comprehensive Q221 Total Joints Market Recap* are:

• Complete Q221 Total Joints Market Overview and Highlights
• SmartTRAK's Expert Analysis and Insights
• Total Joints News including Revenues, Data, Charts and Shares
• US Market Growth Comparison Q221 vs Q219
• Acquisitions, Deals & Financing News
• New Products Hitting the Stage
• Q221 Regulatory Highlights 

Declining COVID cases, M&A and new products fueled the race to recovery in the Extremities Market

As COVID cases declined in Q221 and patient confidence increased, the Extremities Market was off to the races with a rev-up in deal-making and new product launches. Elective procedure volumes started to make a comeback but were not pedal to the metal and still lagged pre-COVID levels. However, new product launches helped fuel growth in the quarter with the US Extremities Market +43.9% YoY, an increase of +8.2% compared to Q219, reflecting change over pre-COVID market conditions. 

Among the many topics covered in detail in our comprehensive Q221 Extremities Market Recap* are:

Designing-Surgeon Dr. Arnold-Peter Weiss Discusses New WristMotion System Design, Outcomes and Implications

A new total wrist arthroplasty system, WristMotion*, is being introduced to the US market through Anika's*’ subsidiary, Arthrosurface*. WristMotion’s design is intended to address concerns of carpal loosening by incorporating a dual curvature design feature in the carpal side combined with a dorsal flange to allow for greater range of motion. In July, Anika announced* the first surgery utilizing the WristMotion Total Wrist Arthroplasty System was performed by designing-surgeon Arnold-Peter C. Weiss, MD, at University Orthopedics, RI.

To find out more, SmartTRAK interviewed Dr. Weiss about his early experience with the WristMotion total wrist and its implications for patients suffering from chronic wrist pain. To listen to the interview, recorded via Zoom, click on the following video (15:58 min). A link to download a transcript of the complete interview is also provided below.

The first quarter of 2021 sees a resurgence of procedures and new product introductions as M&A activity abounds signaling that the Extremities Market is back on track.

Inclement weather, the return of elective procedures and new product introductions all contributed to growth in the WW Extremities Market, up +5.1% in Q121 and the US market seeing even higher growth. M&A activity continues to impact the Extremities segment as companies expand their portfolios and work to synergize product development and commercial efforts.

In Q420 and into Q121, COVID-19 cases ramped up in the US, impacting US Knee replacement procedures. Several large implant manufacturers reported seeing hip procedures being prioritized over knee replacement cases given their more elective nature. However, revision knee replacements are not always able to be postponed. Craig Della Valle, MD of Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush in Chicago discusses the effects of COVID-19 on revision knee procedures and the changes to care pathways precipitated by the pandemic.

To listen to the interview, recorded live via Zoom, click on the following video. A link to the transcript of the interview is also provided below.

Surge in COVID-19 Wipes Out Some Procedural Recovery

The surge of COVID-19 cases in Q420 likely brought on by holiday gatherings threatened to wash away the beginning of elective procedure recovery in Q3. In some regions of the US, healthcare facilities once again found themselves underwater as they struggled to care for COVID patients. OUS, Britain and other countries continued to face shutdowns and delay of non-urgent procedures.

Among the many topics covered in the comprehensive Q420/FY20 Total Joints Market Recap* are:

From the global pandemic, shifts in site of care and technologies of interest, to the shift of procedures, these are some of the trends to watch in 2021

In 2020, monitoring the effects that COVID-19 had on joint replacement market quickly dominated the collective consciousness. And as we enter 2021, it is sure to remain top of mind but other trends are worth watching as well. From the shift in site-of-care to technologies of interest, SmartTRAK outlines some of the developments in the joint replacement market.

Among the many things to watch for in 2021 that are included in detail in this Market Outlook analysis article, written by Lisa Mahan, SmartTRAK's VP of Orthopedics, are:

• Expect Early Market Stops and Starts, Ups and Downs - After the initial wave of COVID-19 in March 2020, elective surgical procedures returned in Q2 and Q320 along with market recovery. However, a rising wave of COVID cases leading into the new year precipitated another round of shutdowns in different regions across the US ...
  
  

Return of elective procedures in Q320 fanned the flames of Extremities growth.

The return of elective procedures, along with the opening up of the US, fanned the flames of growth in the US with the Extremities Market returning to pre-COVID growth levels in Q320. Strength in both the Upper Extremities and Foot & Ankle Market fueled the fire with US Extremities heating up with +6.6% growth, according to SmartTRAK Financial Dashboard. The US Shoulder Replacement market segment brought the heat in US Upper Extremities which grew +6.3%, while Foot & Ankle Fixation and Ankle Replacement were also up, adding fuel to the fire in the Foot & Ankle market segment.