The latest intel suggests the spine market is rebounding more quickly than expected, but certain new market dynamics will persist.

While much remains up in the air, early data suggests the spine market is rebounding more quickly than expected. Surgeons are beginning to perform cases that were postponed through March and April due to COVID-19. In conversations with WFS analysts,  NuVasive* (NUVA) management reported a mix of both deferred cases and new volume in May. NUVA’s spine business reportedly tracked ~50% below pre-COVID levels in May versus ~70% below in April. The Company’s current trajectory and consensus expectations for the quarter implies a recovery in procedure volumes to 35% below pre-COVID levels in June according to  WFS NUVA: Takeaways From The 2020 “Virtual” Bus Tour Report. Similarly, Canaccord Genuity estimates  Alphatec’s* FY20 US revenue will be down –9.7% YoY with an estimated -45.6% drop in Q220 sales. This assumes the impact from COVID-19 started in mid-March, April revenues were down ~60-70%, and notable improvement began in early May as more states resume procedures.

Strong start in Q120 was negatively impacted by the double whammy of postponed elective procedures and lag in capital equipment purchases as the result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

While adoption of robotics and other enabling technologies was gaining significant momentum quarter over quarter through year-end 2019, delays in elective spine surgery due to the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in declines in capital equipment sales and fewer computer-assisted spine surgeries in Q120. However, these declines are expected to be temporary and improve as surgeries rebound through the end of the year and into 2021.

Among the many topics covered in the comprehensive Q120 CAS Spine Market Recap* are:

COVID-19 halts the Trauma Market’s Q120 growth, leading to a -2.8% YoY decline globally.

Q120 was tracking as a stable quarter for the US Trauma Market, following Q419’s +3.8% growth, however, this was interrupted in mid-March by the COVID-19 pandemic. The US Trauma Market was down -1.2% YoY for the quarter, with WW revenues declining -2.8%. The non-elective trauma market experienced a reduction in trauma admissions due to the decrease in daily activities and limited driving for most of the US.

Among the many topics covered in the comprehensive Q120 Trauma Market Recap* are:

Spine’s solid start to Q120 was derailed in March by COVID-19, leading to a -10.6% YoY decline globally.

Q120 reporting gives us the first glimpse into the effect of COVID-19 on the spinal hardware market, with the impact in the US felt starting in mid-March. A multi-dimensional survey of 902 spine surgeons around the globe revealed that 67.1% of respondents saw the cancellation of greater than 75% of their surgical cases per week in late March/early April. Global Spine J.

The WW Spine Hardware market experienced a -10.6% downturn in the quarter, with the US down -11.2%. Several companies noted they were tracking for strong Q1 growth prior to the pandemic. At the end of February, SeaSpine* reported that it was looking at another quarter of double-digit US growth, but ended up with a slight overall decline in Q1 US revenue due to March procedures being down an estimated -18% vs March 2019. 

Among the many topics covered in the comprehensive Q120 Spine Market Recap* are:

The Extremities Market was on track to post a strong Q120 finish but due to COVID-19 the market pulled up short

The Extremities Market was in position to post a strong finish in Q120, driven by gains in the US. But the market pulled up short due to the postponement of elective and non-urgent procedures resulting in the US Extremities Market, declining -1.9%, according to SmartTRAK Financial Dashboard.

Among the many topics covered in the comprehensive Q120 Extremities Market Recap* are:

COVID-19 pandemic hit the brakes mid-March resulting in a quick growth slow-down

Q120 was looking like a strong first quarter following Q420’s 4.5% YoY growth, the highest rate seen in the US Total Joints Market for several years. But, the COVID-19 pandemic and the institution of stay-at-home orders in most US states put the brakes on elective procedures in March, resulting in -4.8%, according to SmartTRAK Financial Dashboard. The postponement of procedures and the resulting downturn in revenue late in Q120 also resulted in orthopedic companies withdrawing guidance due to uncertainty about the timing of recovery.

Among the many topics covered in the comprehensive Q120 US Total Joints Market Recap* are:

As access to healthcare continues to open up, the orthopedic industry is taking significant precautions to insure the health, safety and piece of mind of patients and caregivers and balance that with its attempt to ramp up services and procedures. The following is a small sampling of the orthopedic updates compiled, reviewed and posted in real-time by our SmartTRAK analysts, who are constantly monitoring the situation and sifting through the noise to present the most relevant news to our subscribers:

Updated Survey Data Points to Recovery by Q420

We are excited to announce the launch of Computer Assisted Surgery's Financial Dashboard. SmartTRAK's financial analysis is highly regarded and frequently cited by many in the industry for its accuracy and comprehensiveness. As the Computer Assisted Surgery industry continues to evolve, it's more important than ever for industry players to stay on top of the market financials.  

Financial Dashboard makes it easy to:

• Size a market
• Gauge market share
• Compare year-over-year growth
• Spot financial trends

Robotics and other enabling technologies continued to drive implant sales for existing competitors in Q419, with several new product introductions and expanded applications expected in 2020 and beyond.

New research shows excellent results for anatomic TSA using a stemless humeral component with an inlay glenoid. Dr. Gregory Nicholson gives the breakdown on the research, indications, market acceptance and limitations. 

In the market for total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA), younger, active patients with degenerative conditions of the glenohumeral joint are a unique and more complicated population for surgeons to treat with TSA. Challenges in treating this cohort include higher functional demands that can lead to implant wear and failure. However, a recent study suggests a new implant design might be a good option these types of patients, potentially filling a treatment gap and expanding the market for TSA.