What seems to be on everyone’s mind – COVID-19 recovery and ASC trends

The COVID-19 pandemic reduced the attendance at the 2021 American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeon (AAOS) annual meeting to an estimated 1/5 ^th of its usual number. Many international surgeons found themselves under travel restrictions while some US surgeons were asked by their institutions to forego the meeting. The pandemic also impacted the conversations taking place on the convention floor with two topics seeming to be top of mind – the recovery from COVID-19 and the ongoing move of joint replacement procedures to the outpatient setting.

At AAOS 2021, SmartTRAK spoke with clinicians and industry executives to obtain their view regarding the pandemic and recovery from COVID-19. Although speculation varied depending on individual circumstances,  some companies and healthcare institutions shared that supply chain issues are holding back the increase in business while others are facing regional shutdowns of elective procedures due to the surge of the Delta variant.

Philip Procter, CEO of GPBio & Co-founder of Biomimetic Innovations, shares the OsStic journey of discovery and its path to commercialization in an interview with SmartTRAK

Philip Procter started on a quest several decades ago to solve trauma hardware failure in patients through the development of an adhesive solution. The journey began in earnest after a UK meeting with craniomaxillofacial surgeons facing difficult problems they felt could only be solved with an adhesive technology in combination with implants. Procter was convinced early on that the adhesive solution would have to come from nature studying everything from gecko-based technology to sticky frogs in Australia to Mytilus edulis (common mussel) food protein. But it was after demonstrating the potential of a prototype glue in Sweden in 2014 that his journey led him to become a faculty member of the University of Uppsala, Sweden, and he and his partner Dr Gerard Insley working together with Professor Håkan Engqvist and a team of students developed the technology that is known today as OsStic^: a technology with the potential to join implant to bone, bone to bone, soft tissue to bone, and soft tissue to soft tissue.

GPBio and PBC Biomed, both Irish-based companies, joined forces in 2020 to develop and commercialize the OsStic bone adhesive technology through the formation of a new company, Biomimetic Innovations Ltd. Company CEO Philip Procter shared more about the OsStic technology, how it came about and next steps for bringing the product to market in an interview with SmartTRAK’s Lisa Mahan. To find out more about the Company and its operation, click on the following video to listen to the interview, recorded via Uberconference. (17:49 min) A link to download a complete transcript of the interview is also provided below.

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: