Opportunity for Reconstructive Implants Tailored to Japanese Patients

WALTHAM, Mass., Nov. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Millennium Research Group (MRG), the global authority on medical technology market intelligence, bone disorders that are more prevalent in Japan than in Western countries will limit surgeon adoption of implant technologies over the next five years. MRG's Japanese Markets for Large-Joint Reconstructive Implants 2010 report finds however, growth of hip and unicondylar knee resurfacing implant sales will be robust through 2014 despite a lack of products that can be used in all patients.

Japanese bone morphology differs from that of Europeans and Americans. Because most unicondylar knee implants are designed for Western legs, some surgeons in Japan are reluctant to perform unicondylar knee replacements. High tibial osteotomy, an alternative, less costly procedure, is often used in place of unicondylar implants, restricting market growth. Nevertheless, unicondylar knee replacement is less invasive than total knee replacement. Enduring preference for minimally invasive surgery among most Japanese surgeons will make the unicondylar knee implant market the fastest-growing segment of the Japanese reconstructive knee implant market.

"Combining these factors, the unicondylar knee implant segment will increase as a share of unit sales in Japan by 2014, but growth will decelerate," says Melissa Hussey, Analyst at MRG. "Strong market potential exists for companies who produce a unicondylar implant designed specifically to account for Japanese bone morphology, particularly as the cohort over the age of 65 expands. Several companies already produce hip implants specifically for the Japanese population; minimally invasive knee implants targeted for Japanese patients would therefore represent a significant advantage for these companies."

The Japanese population is also known to have a high incidence of hip dysplasia, a congenital defect in which the hip joint is misaligned. The majority of total hip arthroplasty cases in Japan are related to this condition, which generally cannot be treated by resurfacing. As a result, the hip resurfacing implant subsegment, which is rapidly expanding in other geographies, will experience severely limited growth in Japan.

MRG's new report, Japanese Markets for Large-Joint Reconstructive Implants 2010, provides important insight into the trends that will fuel product use and market growth for reconstructive hip and knee implants through 2014. Additionally, the report provides full breakdowns of reconstructive hip and knee implant procedures and revenues by procedure type. Further detail is provided thorough examination of trends in the use of cemented, cementless, and hybrid fixation methods for both hips and knees, as well as mobile and fixed-bearing knee implants.

About Millennium Research Group
Millennium Research Group (www.MRG.net), a Decision Resources, Inc. company (www.DecisionResourcesInc.com), is the global authority on medical technology market intelligence and the leading provider of strategic information to the health care sector. The company provides specialized industry expertise through multiclient market research, ongoing Marketrack(TM) projects, customer loyalty tracking, facility-level procedure forecasting, and customized solutions.

About Decision Resources, Inc.
Decision Resources, Inc. is a cohesive portfolio of companies that offers best-in-class, high-value information, and insights on important sectors of the health care industry. Clients rely on this analysis and data to make informed decisions. Please visit Decision Resources, Inc. at www.DecisionResourcesInc.com.

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    For more information, contact:

    Amy Krohn
    Millennium Research Group
    416-364-7776 ext. 101
    akrohn@mrg.net

    Elizabeth Marshall
    Decision Resources Inc.
    781-296-2563
    emarshall@dresources.com