Japan Spine Surgery Market Assessment, By Products, By Surgery, By Disease Indication, By Procedure, By End-user, By Region, Opportunities and Forecast, FY2018-FY2032F

Japan spine surgery market is projected to witness a CAGR of 5.48% during the forecast period FY2025-FY2032, growing from USD 550.75 million in FY2024 to USD 849.91 million in FY2032. The market's growth is supported by the growth of the geriatric population, rising cases of degenerative disc disease, and new product launches by various healthcare companies and key players in the market.

Japan is considered to be an advanced aging society across the globe; one of the characteristics of the aging society is the growing occurrence of spinal disorders. These conditions are painful and often result in paralysis of the trunk or deformities, causing hindrance in physical activities for the patients. Such conditions have propelled the requirement for spine surgeries among the older population to improve their quality of life, which is facilitated by the provision of advanced surgical procedures and minimally invasive techniques. Lumbar degenerative disease and spinal degeneration are common in musculoskeletal diseases, and the required treatment includes spinal column alignment.

Technical advancements in minimally invasive spine treatment are key trends in Japanese spine surgery. Several novel minimally invasive spine surgery techniques have been incorporated into clinical practice as the techniques are gaining popularity among both the patients and the surgeons due to the decreased amount of tissue dissection, length of hospitalization, duration of operation, incision size, and blood loss. With an increased emphasis on cutting-edge therapies, minimally invasive procedures, and a wide selection of spine surgery equipment to meet Japan's evolving healthcare requirements, the market is anticipated to rise at a significant rate in the coming years.

New Product Launches Support Market Expansion

The rising investments by various healthcare companies in the country to improve the quality of care provided to patients are bolstering the demand for spine surgery in Japan. In October 2022, Koninklijke Philips N.V. announced the rollout of ClarifEye, their augmented reality surgical navigation solution in Japan after receiving positive results from the patients that were treated with the help of this solution at the International University of Health and Welfare, Mita Hospital, Tokyo. The product aids surgeons in successfully treating patients with scoliosis and spinal stenosis with the help of image guide minimally invasive procedures. The product also allows surgeons to navigate and define critical trajectories to ensure precise device placement and avoid damage to the fragile structure near the patient's spine. Such developments aid healthcare professionals in creating a safe surgical environment and improve patient outcomes.

Expansion of the Aging Population Boosts Market Demand

As per the estimates of the World Economic Forum, almost a third of the population of Japan is over 65. This growth of the older population in the country is propelling the requirement for various medical equipment and technologies, including spine surgery devices, as they are more prone to falling ill and requiring medical attention. The older population is more likely to have low-velocity mechanisms, which, in turn, increases their chances of falling and injuring their spine. The most common cervical spine injury witnessed in the geriatric population is an injury at C2, followed by one at C1. Additionally, the presence of other pathologies in the elderly also boosts the risk of cervical spine injury, including cervical canal stenosis, ankylosing spondylitis, and rheumatoid arthritis. They are also likely to have decreased bone density, which further makes them susceptible to spine injuries and boosts the requirement for spine surgery.

Degenerative Disc Disease Holds Significant Market Share

The rising cases of degenerative disc disease in Japan are one of the major factors propelling the market's growth. According to the estimates of the DiscGenics, disc degeneration affects over one million people in Japan, with 200,000 requiring surgical intervention each year. The disease can often cause unbearable pain, resulting in the requirement of surgical intervention. The surgeries alter the underlying mechanisms that cause pain in the spine, including muscle tension, inflammation, and excessive micro-motion. The muscles are cut away from the spine or moved to the side, and the degenerated disc is removed. In various cases, the degenerated discs are replaced with artificial discs, and the complete recovery process can take up to six months.

Minimally Invasive Surgeries Witness Growth

The growing popularity of minimally invasive spine surgeries in the country can be attributed to the rising awareness about their different advantages associated with them, including less loss of blood, reduced risk of infections, less post-operative pain, and shortened hospital stay. The segment's growth is also supported by the rising efforts of the key market players toward the introduction of novel devices and technologies in the region to aid surgeons in successful completion of minimally invasive procedures. Due to the continuous efforts of the country to ensure the provision of quality care to patients, the investments in training surgeons in minimally invasive techniques and equipment are rising, further bolstering the size of the Japan spine surgery market.

Future Market Scenario (FY2025-FY2032F)

According to the Japan spine surgery market analysis, new technologies such as machine learning, artificial intelligence, and robotics are expected to be incorporated into minimally invasive spinal treatments (MIST). This, in turn, is expected to aid healthcare professionals in strengthening their surgical execution and preoperative planning. Furthermore, integrating artificial intelligence technologies in robotics and minimally invasive navigation is also expected to assist surgeons in accurately placing instruments.

Additionally, the burgeoning research activities in Japan are expected to play a pivotal role in the expansion of the market. For instance, the University of Bergen, Norway, is conducting an international multicenter study in cooperation with the Kyoto University Hospital, Japan, to evaluate and assess the treatment options for adult kyphoscoliosis. The study is expected to conclude in January 2026.

Key Players Landscape and Outlook

The rising investments by the market players towards the introduction of novel technologies in the country are supporting the Japan spine surgery market's growth. In January 2023, Medacta International SA announced that the first NextAR surgery had been performed in Japan with their augmented reality surgical platform. The NextAR provides a simple and fast procedure for spine navigation and allows for a high level of accuracy for screw placement with their augmented reality (AR) glasses. This, in turn, provides surgeons with an efficient and innovative approach to spine navigation and allows them to focus on the surgical field.