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.

Orchid Orthopedic Solutions CEO Nate Folkert discusses Orchid and the changing landscape of contract manufacturing

With locations around the globe, Orchid Orthopedic Solutions has partnered with established medical device companies, start-ups and surgeon entrepreneurs. The Company, which was established in 2005, has evolved to include facilities at 13 locations worldwide offering a range of services from contract design and development through finished goods manufacturing and packaging.

Orchid CEO Nate Folkert discusses his recent transition from the device company side of the Orthopedic business to the supply side, the evolving nature of the supply side business and the changes that have come about as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Click on the following video to listen to SmartTRAK’s interview with Folkert recorded live via Zoom (15:09 min). A complete transcript of the interview, with a link to download it, is also provided below.

After the pandemic derailed the market in Q220, Total Joints was getting back on track in Q3

The COVID-19 pandemic derailed the Total Joints Market in Q220 with stay-at-home orders and elective procedure shutdowns. But the market seemed back on track in Q320 as elective procedural volumes increased and revenues neared pre-COVID levels. With the market chugging along, the US Total Joints Market experienced positive growth during the quarter of +2.5%, according to SmartTRAK Financial Dashboard. The Hip Market was able to quickly gain steam due to the less elective nature of the procedure compared to Knees. In Q320, the US Hip Market grew +7.6% compared to the US Knee Market which was nearing pre-COVID levels at -1.1%.

Among the many topics covered in the comprehensive Q320 Total Joints Market Recap* are:

Companies turn to M&A deals to help them climb the Extremities mountain in the face of market challenges resulting from the COVID-19 Pandemic

No less than six notable acquisitions have taken place or been announced in the Extremities Market in 2020 despite the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. In Q220, the US Extremities Market dropped -25% with Upper Extremities down -27.3% YoY and the Foot & Ankle segment at -21.1%, according to SmartTRAK Financial Dashboard. Despite this fall due to the shutdown of elective procedures in Q2 and the subsequent struggles to gain ground as patients return for surgery, these companies are climbing the mountain to gain share and build their presence in Extremities.