Market Scope Reports Global Demand for Spine Surgery Grows With Access to Care

ST. LOUIS, March 6, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Global demand for spine surgery is expected to rise at a compound annual growth rate of 9.7 percent from 2018 to 2023, with annual volume increasing from 3.6 million to 4.3 million procedures. Demand continued to grow in several major markets in 2018, including the US, China, India, and Latin America.

Market Scope estimates that over 1.2 billion people suffer from back pain each year. Globally, less than one-third of these sufferers seek medical attention, with a bias toward those living in wealthy regions. Only 0.3 percent progress to surgical intervention.

Several factors contribute to the lack of treatment for back pain. The first is limited access to spine surgeons. There are approximately 10 spine surgeons per million people in the US and Europe, while China and India have fewer than three spine surgeons per million people. The second limiting factor is affordability; spinal implant costs and facility fees are prohibitive in many parts of the world. Finally, substantial evidence to justify surgical risks is lacking.

Manufacturers must bring affordable devices to market, especially in low-income regions. Economic plans such as Made in China 2025 will increase competition between manufacturers and drive prices down in developing regions. Similarly, programs such as Modicare will bring basic health care to people who could not previously access it.

The progression of technology will lead to safer and more effective treatment options for back pain. Changes to regulatory processes—such as those proposed for the US FDA's 510(k) process—aim to bring innovative devices to market in a timely manner and protect patients. Improvements in procedural safety and efficacy will help surgeons feel confident proposing surgical correction, likely driving more patients to consider surgery.

Newer therapies such as neuromodulation can be implemented by pain specialists, not just spine surgeons. Also, surgical robots are designed to increase accuracy and enable more surgeons to perform complex procedures. This flexibility could increase treatment availability in historically inaccessible markets.

Market Scope's 2018 Spine Surgery Report: A Global Market Analysis for 2017 to 2023 was published in December. For more information, visit market-scope.com and Market Scope booth 5657 at the 2019 AAOS Annual Meeting.

Media contact:

Matthew Douty
[email protected]
(314) 400-7631

SOURCE Market Scope, LLC