Report Overview
The Global Viscosupplementation Market size is expected to be worth around USD 7,763.6 Million by 2033 from USD 3,562.9 Million in 2023, growing at a CAGR of 8.1% during the forecast period from 2024 to 2033.
Viscosupplementation is a minimally invasive medical procedure where a gel-like solution containing hyaluronic acid derivatives is directly injected into knee joints to enhance mobility and cushion the area around them. This fluid acts as a lubricant, smoothing bone movement while decreasing inflammation and acting as a shock absorber to cushion joint loads and protect from stress fractures. Viscosupplementation offers extensive advantages.
By reducing friction, improving synovial fluid cushioning, relieving severe pain, and expanding range of motion for joints, viscosupplementation offers wide-ranging advantages. Viscosupplementation helps restore the rheological properties of synovial fluid, offering mechanical, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and chondroprotective benefits. Therefore, viscosupplementation has become widely utilized for treating knee, hip and hand osteoarthritis with products available with intermediate, low or high molecular weights.
The global market is growing significantly due to the rising incidence of osteoarthritis and the rising geriatric population. There has also been a significant increase in product approvals and key strategic agreements. Osteoarthritis is one of the most common forms of musculoskeletal disorders. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported in 2019 that osteoarthritis was diagnosed in approximately 32.5 million Americans (or 7 percent of adults in the United States). The market is primarily driven by the increasing prevalence of osteoarthritis in elderly people.
Key Takeaways
- Market Size: Viscosupplementation Market size is expected to be worth around USD 7,763.6 Million by 2033 from USD 3,562.9 Million in 2023.
- Market Growth: The market growing at a CAGR of 8.1% during the forecast period from 2024 to 2033.
- Dosage Analysis: A single injection is the most popular dosage segment, with a revenue share exceeding 47.2%.
- Application Analysis: The knee osteoarthritis segment dominates 50.6% the market in 2023.
- End-Use Analysis: Ambulatory surgical centers have the largest share 72.9% and will continue to dominate the market in the forecast period.
- Regional Analysis: North America was dominate 41.8% market share and held USD 1,489.2 Mn to be the most lucrative market.
- Rising Osteoarthritis Cases: With increasing osteoarthritis cases comes increased need for viscosupplementation therapy as relief measures against this degenerative joint condition often requires such treatments for relief.
- Viscosupplements for Joint Health: Viscosupplements made of hyaluronic acid can provide injectable treatments designed to increase joint functionality and alleviate joint discomfort, especially within weight-bearing joints such as the knee, hip or other weight bearing structures. These injectable treatments typically target knee, hip or other weight-bearing joints such as ankle.
Dosage Analysis
Single Injection Dominates The Market
Based on dosage, the market is segmented into single injections, three injections, and five injections. A single injection is the most popular dosage segment, with a revenue share exceeding 47.2%. Although the five-injection and three-injection hyaluronic acids viscosupplements are well-established, the single-injection products have recently become popular.
Multiple three-injection hyaluronic acid viscosupplements have existed for over 20 years and hold a large portion of the global market. To avoid total knee replacement surgery, medical professionals prefer three injections. An increasing number of FDA approvals of three-injection viscosupplements will aid the segment’s growth.
Application Analysis
Knee osteoarthritis holds the largest market share
Based on application, the market is segmented into knee osteoarthritis, hip osteoarthritis, hand osteoarthritis, and other applications. The knee osteoarthritis segment dominates 50.6% the market in 2023. This trend is expected to continue during the forecast period. Due to the aging effect, a decrease in the amount of water in cartilage further reduces its ability to absorb shock, as an older population is more susceptible to knee osteoarthritis. The Journal of PlumX Metrics reported that in 2020 the global prevalence of osteoarthritis in knees was 16.6% and 22.9% for people over the age of 40.
End-User Analysis
Orthopedics Clinics/Ambulatory Surgical Centers Hold The Largest Share
Based on end-user, the market is segmented into hospitals, orthopedics clinics, ambulatory surgical centers, and other end-users. Ambulatory surgical centers have the largest share 72.9% and will continue to dominate the market in the forecast period. ASCs, which are outpatient surgery centers, specialize in same-day care, including preventative (surgical), and diagnostic procedures.
The rising incidence of osteoarthritis among older people will also help to expand ASCs that can perform same-day surgery for ACL, hip, knee, and shoulder replacements. These procedures are more straightforward and do not require hospitalization. Orthopedic clinics focus on the treatment of the musculoskeletal and musculoskeletal systems.
This includes treating surgical and nonsurgical issues involving joints, bones and ligaments, muscles and spines, and nerves. This segment is expected to grow due to increasing osteoarthritis in older people. Viscosupplementation can be performed in an outpatient setting at hospitals. The patient is usually discharged within a few hours. A hospital usually recommends that a surgeon or an orthopedist perform any viscosupplementation procedure.
Patients prefer hospitals, especially in developing countries that lack orthopedic months are required to attend a hospital on a particular day in these countries where the orthopedic doctor is often a visiting faculty. A Viscosupplementation is an option offered by most multispecialty hospitals around the world. This does not require additional investment.
Key Market Segments
Based on Dosage
- Single Injection
- Three Injection
- Five Injection
Based On Application
- Knee Osteoarthritis
- Hip Osteoarthritis
- Hand Osteoarthritis
- Other Applications
By End-Users
- Hospitals
- Orthopedics Clinics
- Ambulatory Surgical Centers
- Other End Users
Drivers
Rising Geriatric Population
An increase in age increases the number of elderly patients admitted to hospitals for fatal traumatic injuries. There is a growing demand for treatment and diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis. The healthcare system is under increasing pressure due to the rising population. As a result, there is a greater demand for services and technologies to prevent and treat knee osteoarthritis conditions like sarcopenia and osteoporosis.
These conditions are more common in older people, and can lead to fragile joints and bones. Viscosupplementation is performed in these patients to provide immediate and practical benefits for their bodies. The demand for early diagnosis is increasing due to the rising age and increasing prevalence of osteoarthritis. Viscosupplementation is becoming more popular for treatment in healthcare systems around the world.
Increasing Risk of Osteoporosis And Osteoarthritis
Osteoporosis refers to a bone disease caused by a decrease in bone mineral density or bone mass or by a variation in the structure or quality of bone. Due to decreased bone strength, osteoporosis can increase the likelihood of broken bones. This is more common in women than it is in men. Osteoporosis is silent, so it often causes bone fractures in post-menstrual women. Osteoporosis is more common in older people.
Osteoarthritis refers to joint disease or inflammation of the joints and surrounding tissues. When such conditions occur, they can affect mobility. Silent diseases like osteoporosis or osteoarthritis are invisible and can cause serious injuries, such as fractures, sudden falls, and bone loss. These conditions directly impact the demand for viscosupplementation to treat malformations. The market is expected to grow due to the rising incidence of osteoarthritis and osteoporosis.
Restraints
Lack of Technical Expertise
Finding, attracting, and hiring skilled individuals is the first step to creating a skilled engineering workforce. Even in the best circumstances, this process can be challenging. Many workers in the manufacturing industry are retiring fast. In the medical field, there is of need for more STEM (sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics). There is a strong demand in manufacturing for skilled people (technicians and engineers (undergraduate and postgraduate), but only few people have the skills.
Due to the complexity of these procedures, only trained professionals should perform viscosupplementation, but this number is significantly lower worldwide. Employees must be qualified to stay current and keep up with technology changes and growth. Newly minted engineers must be trained in AM techniques even if they have a STEM-focused education. This is one of the biggest challenges when recruiting and hiring them. Thus, the lack of technical expertise may restrain the market’s growth.
Opportunity
Safety and effectiveness of intra-articular hyaluronic acid (IAHA)
Several types of hyaluronic acid injections are used for knee osteoarthritis. These injections are directly injected into the joint using either chicken combs, rooster combs, or bacteria. Intra-articular hyaluronic acid is a US Food and Drug Administration-approved treatment for knee osteoarthritis (OA).
Injections of intra-articular hyaluronic acids (IAHA) provide a local treatment option that provides symptomatic benefits without the systemic AEs associated IA corticosteroids. Many RCTs and meta-analyses have been conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of IAHA. However, there are mixed results. IAHA has been shown to positively impact joint function and pain. Data is mounting that IAHA may positively affect joint function and pain.
Trends
Increasing Adoption of Organic Growth Strategies
Market growth is expected to be driven by market players’ increasing adoption of organic growth strategies such as acquisitions. The market will be driven by the growing demand for non-surgical osteoarthritis treatments, lifestyle-induced disorders, and advances in hyaluronic-based therapies. The market is expected to grow due to increased research and development by market leaders to develop new treatments for osteoarthritis (OA).
Flexion Therapeutics, Inc., a US biopharmaceutical company, reported positive results in the Phase 2 pharmacokinetics (PK) trial ZILRETTA (triamcinolone acetonide extended-release single injectable suspension) for patients with shoulder osteoarthritis.
Regional Analysis
North America Region Dominates The Market
North America was dominate 41.8% market share and held USD 1,489.2 Mn to be the most lucrative market. The Viscosupplementation market in North America is anticipated to continue to expand in the years to come. At the moment, it holds a sizeable portion of the global market. As the elderly population grows, the prevalence of osteoarthritis rises, increasing the need for joint injections. It is anticipated that the Asia-Pacific viscosupplementation market will expand in the future. The demand for non-surgical treatments and a growing awareness of viscosupplementation’s effectiveness are driving market expansion. Market development has been helped by extending foundation and medical care offices in rising nations.
Key Regions
- North America
- The US
- Canada
- Mexico
- Western Europe
- Germany
- France
- The UK
- Spain
- Italy
- Portugal
- Ireland
- Austria
- Switzerland
- Benelux
- Nordic
- Rest of Western Europe
- Eastern Europe
- Russia
- Poland
- The Czech Republic
- Greece
- Rest of Eastern Europe
- APAC
- China
- Japan
- South Korea
- India
- Australia & New Zealand
- Indonesia
- Malaysia
- Philippines
- Singapore
- Thailand
- Vietnam
- Rest of APAC
- Latin America
- Brazil
- Colombia
- Chile
- Argentina
- Costa Rica
- Rest of Latin America
- Middle East & Africa
- Algeria
- Egypt
- Israel
- Kuwait
- Nigeria
- Saudi Arabia
- South Africa
- Turkey
- United Arab Emirates
- Rest of MEA
Key Players Analysis
Emerging main players are concentrating on strategies to expand their operations in foreign markets. Key businesses are developing new goods or merging and acquiring other companies to expand their market share. Bioventus, for example, received FDA approval for DUROLANE. This HA product is intended to relieve knee osteoarthritis pain with a single injection. After that, the product was advertised and sold in over 25 countries.
Market Key Players
The market is fragmented, with several local and regional companies. Market participants face fierce rivalry from top businesses, particularly those with excellent brand recognition and extensive distribution networks. Companies have developed numerous expansion methods to stay on top of the market, such as collaborations and product releases.
- Sanofi S.A.
- Anika Therapeutics, Inc.
- Seikagaku Corp.
- Zimmer Biomet
- Smith & Nephew PLC
- Ferring Pharmaceuticals B.V.
- Lifecore Biomedical
- LG Life Sciences Ltd.
- Fidia Farmaceutici S.p.A
- Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.
- Other Key Players
Recent Developments
- Anika Therapeutics, Inc.: Announced positive results from a Phase 3 study of Qsymia for knee osteoarthritis pain relief in October 2023.
- Seikagaku Corp.: Launched Hyalgan G-F 20 in Japan in March 2023, a new formulation of hyaluronic acid for knee osteoarthritis.
- Zimmer Biomet: Received FDA 510(k) clearance for their Persona Knee Hyaluronic Acid in April 2023.
- Smith & Nephew PLC: Exploring opportunities in regenerative medicine for osteoarthritis treatment.
- Lifecore Biomedical: Investing in clinical trials to support broader indications for their viscosupplementation products.