The anterior cruciate ligament injuries market is estimated to be valued at USD 4.81 Bn in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 7.62 Bn by 2031, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.8% from 2024 to 2031. The market is driven by the increasing incidence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries among athletes and weekend warriors along with advancements in reconstruction surgical techniques and graft materials.

Market Driver - Increasing Incidences of Sports Injuries Leading to ACL Tears

Over the years, there has been a steady growth in participation in recreational as well as competitive sports activities across all age groups. Sports like soccer, football, basketball and skiing involve sudden acceleration, deceleration and rotational movements that put immense pressure on the knees and increase the chances of ACL injuries.

Even recreational weekend sports enthusiasts and middle-aged people are now actively engaging in sports for leisure and fitness purposes without considering the risks involved. This has contributed to the increasing number of ACL injuries in non-elite adult athletes’ population.

Also, the competitive pressure to achieve excellence in professional sports has made athletes train and play with intense physical demands at a very young age which does not allow their skeletal system and soft tissues to develop fully. All these factors have unfortunately increased the chances of ACL tears among young competitive athletes substantially.

Hence, healthcare experts and insurers now advocate preventive measures like controlled training programs, knee braces and awareness campaigns on injury risks to stem the surging sports injuries leading to ACL tears. This driver continues to significantly drive the growth of the anterior cruciate ligament injuries treatment market.

Market Driver - Advancements in Surgical Techniques Improving Recovery Outcomes

The growing incidences of ACL injuries have prompted continuous research by surgeons and sports medicine experts to improve surgical reconstruction techniques and recovery outcomes. Over the past few decades, there have been some major advancements that have transformed the way ACL tears are treated.

While open surgeries were commonly done initially, the procedures now mainly involve minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques. These allow for smaller incisions, less soft tissue damage, less post-operative pain, and faster recovery times compared to traditional open knee surgeries.

Further, surgeons have gained rich experience from performing hundreds of procedures, better understand graft selection and placement methods. These aid in anatomical reconstruction of the torn ligament and restoring knee stability more accurately.

Continued developments in synthetic graft materials, fixation devices and fixation techniques have further improved clinical outcomes for patients immensely. Porous replacements that foster natural ligament ingrowth are giving rise to graft options that strengthen more closely to the replaced ligament over time.

Advances in endoscopic visualization systems with high-definition cameras now provide perfect close-up viewing of small joint spaces during surgery, helping achieve more anatomic graft placements. Widespread use of interferential methods like computer navigation is contributing to the growth of the anterior cruciate ligament injuries market.

Market Challenge - High Cost of Surgical Procedures, Limiting Accessibility

One of the major challenges faced in the anterior cruciate ligament injuries market is the high cost of surgical procedures for treatment, which ends up limiting the accessibility for many patients. ACL reconstruction surgery is considered the gold standard treatment for complete ACL tears however, it is an expensive procedure with the average total cost ranging between $15,000 to $25,000 in the United States. This includes the costs of surgical implants; hospital stay and physician fees.

Given the extensive rehabilitation time required post-surgery as well, it poses a huge financial burden for many individuals and their families. Those without adequate insurance coverage find it extremely difficult to afford such expensive treatment options. This often leads to delayed treatment or reliance on cheaper non-surgical options, negatively impacting long term outcomes. The high costs pose a major barrier in receiving timely and effective care, thereby restricting growth in the ACL injuries market.

Market Opportunity - Rising Awareness for Preventive Measures in Sports and Fitness

One of the key opportunities for the ACL injuries market lies in the rising awareness about the importance of preventive measures and injury risk reduction strategies in sports and fitness activities. ACL injuries are commonly seen in sports that involve rapid changes in direction like soccer, basketball and skiing.

In recent years, efforts by national sports governing bodies, athletic trainers as well as nonprofit organizations have helped increase knowledge about effective warm-up routines, muscle strengthening exercises and proper use of protective equipment to minimize risks. This has resulted in growing emphasis on injury prevention protocols across amateur and professional clubs.

Additionally, with greater participation in recreational sports and fitness, more individuals recognize the need to adopt precautionary actions to safeguard their knees. If leveraged well, increased public education on prevention presents a major growth avenue for the ACL injuries market.

Product Innovation - Many players have focused on developing innovative ACL reconstruction and repair techniques and technologies. For example, in 2015 Smith & Nephew launched their ASCEND ACL system which uses adjustable, lightweight flexible polymer implants and match-fixation drill guide technology to help reconstruct the ACL. Clinical studies showed it improved ligament healing outcomes.

Expanding through Acquisitions - Large players have acquired innovative smaller companies to expand their portfolio. For example, in 2017 Zimmer Biomet acquired Cayenne Medical, a leader in ACL repair technologies. This expanded Zimmer's portfolio beyond reconstruction to include popular, suture-based internalBrace Ligament Augmentation and Reconstruction System (LARSS) technique.

Focus on Sports Medicine & Athletes - Companies target elite sports organizations and athletes. For example, Arthrex partners with over 500 professional and college sports teams through their program. They educate on ACL prevention and treatment. Clinical data shows arthritis patients return to play faster with Arthrex techniques vs other companies.

Building Centers of Excellence - Companies establish specialty orthopedic clinics focused solely on ACL treatment excellence. For example, in 2012 Stryker launched several of these Stryker Mako SmartCHOICE ACL Centers across the US to improve surgical outcomes. Data showed patients treated at these centers had 25% faster recovery times vs non-specialty practices, driving more procedures and market share for Stryker.

Insights, By Treatment: Physician Recommendation Drives Higher Adoption of Surgical Treatment

In terms of treatment, surgical treatment contributes the highest share of the market owning to physician recommendation for invasive procedures in severe cases of anterior cruciate ligament injuries. Surgical Treatment provides a higher success rate compared to non-surgical methods as it allows reconstruction of the torn ligament using graft tissues.

The key procedures included under Surgical Treatment are Reconstruction Surgery and Repair Surgery. Reconstruction Surgery such as autograft and allograft procedures are preferred over Repair Surgery in complete ligament tears due to better clinical outcomes.

Physicians typically suggest Reconstruction Surgery using graft tissues as it helps in restoring the anatomical structure and stability of the knee joint. While non-invasive options are considered for mild injuries, severe grade III tears often necessitate Reconstruction Surgery for improved knee function. The higher effectiveness combined with physician preference has resulted in Surgical Treatment dominating the treatment landscape for anterior cruciate ligament injuries.

Insights, By Graft Type: Autografts see increased adoption due to lower risk of immunological reactions

In terms of graft type, autografts contribute the highest share of the market owning to the lower risk of immunological reactions compared to allografts. Key autograft procedures utilized are Hamstring Tendon and Patellar Tendon harvest which use the patient's own tissues for reconstruction.

Autografts eliminate the potential of inflammatory responses caused by histocompatibility issues seen in allografts. The bio integrative properties of autogenous grafts facilitate better healing outcomes. While allografts from donor tissues are considered when autograft options are unavailable, the higher success rate of autografts has made them the graft material of choice.

Advancements in graft fixation and harvesting techniques have additionally boosted the adoption of autograft procedures in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgeries.

Insights, By End User: Concentrated service offerings drive patient preference for Hospitals

In terms of end user, hospitals contribute the highest share of the market owning to their ability to offer concentrated specialty services for anterior cruciate ligament injuries management. Hospitals have established orthopedic departments with expertise in advanced ligament reconstruction procedures.

They provide a full spectrum of services from diagnosis and surgical intervention to post-operation rehab facilities under one roof. This consolidated service methodology enables streamlined clinical pathways and superior care coordination compared to other settings.

It also reassures patients by allowing access to multidisciplinary specialists and state-of-the-art infrastructure under one facility. The concentrated service portfolio coupled with a patient-centric approach has made Hospitals the preferred end-user segment for anterior cruciate ligament injuries treatment.

• ACL injuries account for approximately 30% of all knee injuries in athletes.
• The market is expected to grow significantly in Europe, driven by increased awareness and availability of advanced surgical techniques.
• Minimally invasive surgery adoption is on the rise, reducing patient recovery time by up to 40% compared to traditional methods.
• The emergence of AI in surgical precision is anticipated to reduce errors during ACL repairs and improve patient outcomes.
• Rising healthcare expenditure in the US and Europe is predicted to increase the accessibility of advanced ACL treatments.

The major players operating in the anterior cruciate ligament injuries market include Smith & Nephew plc, Stryker Corporation, Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc., Arthrex, Inc., DePuy Synthes, Conmed Corporation, Medtronic plc, DJO Global, Inc., Össur hf, and Breg, Inc.

• In March 2023, Smith & Nephew launched a new ACL repair system, the UltraTRAC QUAD ACL Reconstruction Technique. This innovation is designed to enhance surgical precision and efficiency by incorporating several advanced technologies, including the QUADTRAC Quadriceps Tendon Harvest Guide System, the X-WING Graft Preparation System, and ULTRABUTTON adjustable fixation devices. These tools allow for minimally invasive tendon harvesting and provide controlled, reproducible procedures, helping to improve both surgical outcomes and recovery times for patients.
• Zimmer Biomet has been actively involved in various partnerships and innovations around AI and robotics in orthopedic surgeries, including knee and hip procedures. For instance, they have collaborated with the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) to create an AI-based innovation center focused on robotic joint replacements​. They also recently advanced their robotic-assisted knee surgery technology through partnerships with companies like Think Surgical​.
• In June 2024, Stryker announced its acquisition of Artelon, a company that specializes in synthetic soft tissue fixation products, aimed at enhancing biological and mechanical ligament and tendon reconstruction. This acquisition is positioned to strengthen Stryker’s offerings in sports medicine, particularly in ligament and tendon reconstruction, including treatments that could impact areas like ACL repair​.

• By Treatment
  • Surgical Treatment
    • Reconstruction Surgery
    • Repair Surgery
  • Non-Surgical Treatment
    • Physical Therapy
    • Bracing and Support
• By Graft Type
  • Autografts
    • Hamstring Tendon
    • Patellar Tendon
  • Allografts
    • Donor Tissue
• By End User
  • Hospitals
  • Orthopedic Clinics
  • Ambulatory Surgical Centers