The sports medicine market comprises a number of product segments, many of which span several different orthopedics specialties.This space is expected to experience strong growth going forward as companies develop innovative ways, including some lower-cost approaches, to treat the joint and soft-tissue injuries commonly suffered by athletes and other sports enthusiasts.

Researchers have been working for years to develop a reliable and cost-effective means of regenerating the hyaline cartilage found in the knee, with the aim of offering a minimally invasive treatment option for the millions of patients with painful knee osteoarthritis. Although this goal has been elusive so far, recent progress suggests the field may have turned a corner, and a large number of companies are now competing to win this quest, which many refer to as the “Holy Grail” of knee OA.

With hip and knee joint markets still registering slow to modest growth, orthopedic companies looking to add bulk to their bottom line through mergers and acquisitions have pursued two distinct directions – the extremities and emerging markets.