Unicompartmental Knee Prosthesis Market: Current Analysis and Forecast (2022-2028)

The unicompartmental knee prosthesis is a type of knee replacement surgery that involves replacing only one part of the knee joint affected by arthritis or injury, rather than the entire joint. This approach allows for a smaller incision, less bone removal, and a faster recovery time compared to a total knee replacement. During the surgery, the damaged part of the knee joint is removed and replaced with a metal or plastic implant. The implant is designed to replicate the natural shape and function of the knee joint, allowing for improved mobility and reduced pain. Compared to a total knee replacement surgery, a unicompartmental knee prosthesis offers several benefits, including a shorter recovery time, less bone removal, and a smaller incision.

The unicompartmental knee prosthesis market is expected to grow at a steady rate of around 4% owing to the increasing aging population, rising prevalence of knee osteoarthritis & musculoskeletal injuries, and growing demand for minimally invasive surgical procedures. For instance, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 1.71 billion people have musculoskeletal conditions worldwide. Moreover, advancements in implant design and materials have improved the durability and longevity of unicompartmental knee prostheses, making them a more attractive option for patients and healthcare providers. Technological innovations in surgical techniques and equipment are also expected to contribute to the growth of this market.

Based on product, the market is segmented into fixed-bearing implants, mobile-bearing implants, medial pivot implants, and others. The fixed-bearing prostheses segment accounted for a significant market share and it is estimated that it will grow rapidly during the projected timeframe because this is a less expensive prosthesis option compared to the mobile-bearing prostheses.

On the basis of application, the market is categorized into primary surgical and revision surgical. Among these, the primary surgical category held a significant share of the market in 2021. This is mainly due to the rising prevalence of knee osteoarthritis and other knee conditions, advancements in implant design and surgical techniques, the minimally invasive nature of the procedure, and the adoption of new technologies in the field. Further on, the rising adoption of computer-assisted surgery and 3D printing of implants are also expected to fuel the growth of this segment. For instance, in January 2019, the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) collaborated with Lima Corporate to provide a 3D-printed facility for orthopedic implants. This collaboration would help HSS to use Lima's technology to produce new products for orthopedic joint care and to expand its product portfolio.

Based on material, the unicompartmental knee prosthesis market has been classified into stainless steel, cobalt-chromium alloys, titanium alloys, polyethylene, ceramics, and others. The polyethylene category is to witness higher adoption of unicompartmental knee prostheses during the forecast period. This is mainly due to its excellent wear resistance, biocompatibility, and low friction properties. The material is also highly durable and can withstand the mechanical stresses and loads that are placed on the knee joint during movement. In addition to its mechanical properties, polyethylene is also compatible with human tissue and has a low risk of causing an inflammatory response or rejection by the body's immune system which will drive the growth of this segment.

Based on end-user, the unicompartmental knee prosthesis market has been classified into hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and orthopedic clinics. The hospital category is to witness higher adoption of unicompartmental knee prostheses during the forecast period. The growth is attributed to the increasing preference of patients to undergo orthopedic surgical procedures in hospitals owing to the well-established infrastructure, presence of trained healthcare professionals, and advanced devices. However, orthopedic clinics are also likely to witness lucrative growth during the forecast period.

For a better understanding of the market adoption of the unicompartmental knee prosthesis industry, the market is analyzed based on its worldwide presence in the countries such as North America (U.S., Canada, Rest of North America), Europe (Germany, U.K., France, Spain, Italy, Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, Rest of Asia-Pacific), Rest of World. North America is anticipated to grow at a substantial CAGR during the forecast period. The rising growth of this market in the region is mainly due to the rising sports activities& injuries, spinal injuries, and the availability of a high number of hospitals & healthcare clinics in the region. Moreover, availability of major pharmaceutical and medical device companies are launching new products and working on new technological developments. For instance, in December 2019, Smith+Nephew announced that it has completed the first surgeries utilizing its new JOURNEY II Unicompartmental Knee (UK) System.

Some of the major players operating in the market include: Stryker; Aesculap, Inc.; Arthrex, Inc.; Beijing Chunlizhengda Medical Instruments Co., Ltd.; Zimmer Biomet; Biotech GmbH; Conformis; Corin Group; Medical Device Business Services, Inc.; and Exactech, Inc.