Soft tissue and cartilage repair trends and innovations take center stage.
Joint restoration and preservation continued to gain attention at this year’s Canaccord Genuity (CG) Musculoskeletal (MSK) Healthcare Conference and at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons' (AAOS) 2025 Annual Meeting, both in San Diego. From start-ups reporting early results and seeking investors to large companies showcasing recently acquired assets or newly launched products, the meetings were abuzz with companies and healthcare providers aspiring to help patients heal more naturally, restore an active lifestyle and delay joint replacement surgery.
In this market perspective article, SmartTRAK covers everyone from powerhouse names like Smith+Nephew and Stryker to dynamic start-ups, like CytexOrtho, Nanochon and Hyalex Orthopaedics. Their focus was clear: help the body heal naturally and preserve movement for as long as possible.
Below is a preview of the full article. The complete Market Perspective is available for download.
Soft tissue repair is booming, with procedures expected to reach 3 million in the U.S. by 2025. At the forefront is Smith+Nephew's REGENETEN, which has slashed re-tear rates in rotator cuff surgeries and is now expanding into other tendon repairs, including Achilles tendon, gluteus medius tendon and extra-articular ligament. Meanwhile, Anika’s HA-based Integrity Implant System is showing impressive clinical outcomes and quick growth.
Stryker’s new Artelon-acquired products—FlexBand and FlexPatch—also grabbed attention, thanks to their ability to strengthen repairs over time while maintaining flexibility. Add in notable contributions from Zimmer Biomet, Atreon, and others, and it’s clear the soft tissue space is full of energy and innovation.
Soft Tissue Reconstruction: More Natural Options for Healing
ACL injuries are a hot topic, and Miach Orthopaedics’ BEAR Implant is creating waves. Now cleared for a wider range of patients, the BEAR offers a biologic alternative to traditional grafts—and it's catching on fast, used in over 5,000 procedures already. Backed by promising interim data, the BEAR might just reshape ACL repair.
However, all isn’t smooth sailing—tissue supply and new FDA regulations around donor screening are stirring concern among providers. There’s growing tension about the balance between safety and access, with the industry closely watching how new guidance will affect patient care.
Cartilage Repair Gains Momentum
Cartilage replacement is getting a lot of love, too. Vericel’s MACI is dominating the market, but challengers are rising. Smith+Nephew is betting big on CartiHeal’s Agili-C, which recently showed excellent clinical outcomes. Anika is readying HYALOFAST for a 2026 U.S. launch, and once launched in the US, Anika’s total addressable market is expected to increase by $1.00B.
Startups like CytexOrtho, Nanochon and Hyalex Orthopaedics are cooking up high-tech, one-stage solutions that could be game-changers—especially for younger, active patients. Think 3D-printed scaffolds and water-attracting biomaterials that mimic natural cartilage.
The Bottom Line: The Show’s Just Getting Started
With big names, new players and a shared goal of keeping patients moving, the world of joint preservation is more exciting than ever. Whether it’s reinforcing tendons, rebuilding cartilage or navigating regulatory hurdles, the industry is on the move—and it’s clear that joint restoration is no longer just a subplot..it’s the headline act.
Want the full breakdown with deeper insights, company strategies and clinical data? Click the button below to discover who’s leading the charge and who’s coming for the spotlight in this comprehensive article by Kimberly French, SmartTRAK GM, Orthobiologics and Regenerative Medicine.
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