The knee osteoarthritis market is estimated to be valued at USD 11.7 Bn in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 30.01 Bn by 2031, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.5% from 2024 to 2031. The aging population prone to knee issues along with growing obesity rates globally is expected to drive the demand for knee osteoarthritis treatments over the forecast period.

The knee osteoarthritis market is expected to grow significantly due to the rising geriatric population worldwide and the associated increase in the prevalence of osteoarthritis. Moreover, the development and approval of novel drug classes for osteoarthritis treatment such as Intra-articular tranexamic acid are expected to provide opportunities for market growth between 2024-2031.

Market Driver - Increasing prevalence of knee osteoarthritis among the aging population

As life expectancy is increasing globally, populations are aging rapidly all around the world. The geriatric population which is aged 65 years and above is growing at an unprecedented rate. It is estimated that by the year 2050 worldwide, 1 in 6 people will be aged 65 years and above. With increasing age, the tissues in the body including cartilage starts wearing down naturally. Knee osteoarthritis predominantly affects this aging population as cartilage becomes thin and even wears away with time, leading to bones rubbing together causing pain, swelling and stiffness. Older age is the single biggest risk factor for knee osteoarthritis.

As the bones and cartilage in the knees undergo degenerative changes, mild to severe pain and movement limitation occurs. Simple daily tasks like walking, climbing stairs, kneeling etc become difficult. This greatly diminishes quality of life in older adults. Lack of enough physical activity further accelerates the degenerative knee condition. Sedentary lifestyle is rampant in developed nations especially where a majority of elderly population lead increasingly inactive lives. Advanced diagnosis through X-rays reveals bone spurs and loss of joint space in knees affected by osteoarthritis. In many cases, joint replacement surgeries are the only solution to alleviate pain and restore mobility.

Market Driver - Rising adoption of minimally invasive surgeries and advancements in treatment technologies

Over the past decade, there have been major technological leaps in surgical procedures and medical devices for treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Minimally invasive techniques like arthroscopy are becoming increasingly popular compared to traditional open knee replacement surgeries that involve larger incisions. Arthroscopy facilitates diagnostic assessment of knee problems through tiny incisions and cameras inserted in the joint. It also allows procedures like removal of loose bone or cartilage flaps, debridement of areas inflamed by arthritis and repairs of torn ligaments or meniscus with minimal downtime.

Additionally, new procedural innovations are refining rehabilitation outcomes of knee replacement surgeries. Robotics assisted procedures promote increased accuracy compared to manual implantation of prosthetic knees. Patient matched or customized implants based on 3D imaging and printing techniques of each individual's knee anatomy ensure best fit and structure of replacement components. Advance biologic treatment options involving mesenchymal stem cells, platelet rich plasma and supplements aim to reduce inflammation, slow disease progression and repair damaged cartilage. Wear resistant materials in newer generation prosthetics are designed to last longer. Remote digital monitoring systems also allow joint surveillance and early detection of post-surgical issues from patient's homes via wireless transmission of sensor data. Collectively, these clinic-technological factors are fueling rise in knee osteoarthritis treatment seeking behavior.

Market Challenge - High costs associated with advanced knee osteoarthritis treatments

One of the major challenges faced by the knee osteoarthritis market is the high costs associated with advanced treatments for patients with severe knee osteoarthritis. The escalating costs of joint replacement surgeries like knee replacement have made it inaccessible for many patients. Knee replacement surgery is considered as one of the most expensive orthopedic procedures, with the average total knee replacement surgery cost ranging between $30,000 to $60,000 in the United States. Additionally, advance treatment options like biologic drugs that target inflammation also come with very high price tags, limiting their usage. For instance, injections of anti-inflammatory biologics like intra-articular hyaluronic acid range between $500 to $2000 per treatment, requiring multiple doses for efficacy. The financial burden of such expensive treatments often deters patients from undergoing the procedure or therapy, resulting in delayed treatment and worse health outcomes. This substantial economic burden poses significant challenges to growth in the knee osteoarthritis market.

Market Opportunity - Development of new therapies targeting unmet medical needs in knee osteoarthritis

One major opportunity for growth in the knee osteoarthritis market lies in the development of new therapies that can address some of the unmet medical needs in knee osteoarthritis treatment. Currently available pharmacological therapies have limited efficacy in modifying the disease progression and mainly provide symptomatic relief. Further, joint replacement surgeries are highly invasive options considered only for end-stage disease. This leaves a significant need for the development of disease-modifying treatments that can slow cartilage deterioration and improve joint health. Companies are actively investing in research efforts exploring newer treatment modalities like gene therapies, cell therapies and tissue-engineered solutions that can potentially repair damaged cartilage. The success of such new treatment options in clinical trials would open up lucrative growth prospects by offering minimally invasive solutions to patients early in the disease course. Overall, the substantial unmet needs in managing the underlying pathology of osteoarthritis presents a major commercial opportunity for pharmaceutical companies and devices players in the knee osteoarthritis market.

Developing innovative treatment options has been a successful strategy for players. For example, in 2020, Smith & Nephew launched the CORI Surgical System for robot-assisted partial knee replacements. It utilizes navigation techniques for precise alignment and sizing. Early clinical studies show it improves surgical accuracy. The user-friendly robotic interface makes the procedure less invasive. This helped capture market share from traditional partial knee replacement devices.

As patients prefer less invasive options, players have focused on developing technologies that minimize surgical trauma. For example, in 2018, Zimmer Biomet received FDA clearance for the Rosa Partial Knee System for robot-assisted surgery. It requires just a 3-4 cm incision compared to 6-8 cm for traditional methods. Post-market data found it reduced hospital stays and led to quicker recovery times. This established Zimmer Biomet as a leader in less invasive partial knee replacements.

Companies have partnered or acquired complementary firms to expand their product portfolios. For instance, in 2021, Smith+Nephew acquired Emperative to add artificial intelligence capabilities for diagnosing and treating knee osteoarthritis. AI algorithms can better detect hard-to-see bone changes which guides targeted treatment planning. This expanded S+N's offerings from surgical to pre-operative care management solutions.

Given developing countries face a growing osteoarthritis burden, key players have focused commercial efforts outside Western markets. For example, between 2013-2018, Johnson & Johnson prioritized expanding knee implant sales across Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Middle East. Regional marketing tie-ups and tailored pricing helped drive a 38% increase in international revenue for J&J's orthopedics segment over this period.

Insights, By Knee Osteoarthritis Treatment: Pharmacological management sub-segment contributes the highest share of the market owing to higher treatment efficacy and widespread availability

The pharmacological management sub-segment currently contributes the largest share of 58.0% in the global knee osteoarthritis market. This can be attributed to the higher efficacy demonstrated by pharmacological treatments in managing the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis such as pain and swelling. Drugs such as analgesics, NSAIDs, corticosteroids, and viscosupplementation agents have proven effective in significantly reducing pain and improving physical function and mobility in patients. Additionally, these drug therapies are non-invasive in nature and associated with a faster recovery compared to surgical options.

The widespread availability and ease of administration of pharmacological drugs have further enhanced their adoption over other treatment types. Drugs can be self-administered by patients anytime as needed and do not require special procedures or hospital visits like surgery. This convenience factor, coupled with the immediate pain relief provided, makes pharmacological management the treatment of choice for the majority of knee osteoarthritis patients in the initial stages of the disease. The growing patient preference for minimally invasive treatments and increasing awareness about the benefits of pharmacological drugs are fueling the growth of this segment.

Insights, By Disease Type - Primary osteoarthritis sub-segment contributes the highest share of 72.3% in the market due to high prevalence among aging populations

Within the global knee osteoarthritis market based on disease type, the primary osteoarthritis sub-segment presently holds the leading share of 72.3%. This segmental dominance can be largely attributed to the high prevalence and incidence rates of primary osteoarthritis worldwide. Primary osteoarthritis, also known as idiopathic or age-related osteoarthritis, is caused by natural wear and tear of the knee joint over time and accounts for around 90% of all osteoarthritis cases.

As life expectancy continues to rise globally, the pool of aging individuals who are more susceptible to primary osteoarthritis is also growing steadily. Advanced age is considered one of the strongest risk factors for primary osteoarthritis, with nearly 70% of those over 65 years suffering from the condition in some form. The proportion of elderly people aged 60 years and above has been rising rapidly across world regions. This demographic shift is anticipated to significantly fuel the prevalence of primary osteoarthritis in the total knee osteoarthritis population over the forecast period. Additionally, factors such as obesity and joint injuries that heighten the risk of primary osteoarthritis are also becoming more widespread. These trends are expected to propel the growth of the primary osteoarthritis segment in the knee osteoarthritis market.

• Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease that predominantly affects the elderly, resulting from wear and tear of the cartilage. It can develop slowly over 10-15 years, significantly impacting daily activities. Current management strategies focus on symptom control, utilizing pharmacological, non-pharmacological, and surgical interventions. The market is witnessing advancements in treatment approaches, including the development of new pharmacological therapies and the adoption of minimally invasive surgeries. The United States holds the largest market share due to a higher prevalence and availability of advanced treatments.
• Among the EU4 and the UK, Germany accounted for the highest number of knee osteoarthritis cases, followed by France, with Italy accounting for the lowest cases in 2023.
• The prevalence of knee osteoarthritis is significantly higher in females (60%) compared to males (40%).
• The US has the highest number of prevalent cases of knee osteoarthritis, with approximately 18,499,200 cases in 2023.

The major players operating in the knee osteoarthritis market include Sanofi/Genzyme, Bioventus, Anika Therapeutics, Taiwan Liposome Company (TLC599), Centrexion Therapeutics (CNTX-4975), Biosplice Therapeutics (Lorecivivint), Noven Pharmaceuticals (HP-5000) and Kolon TissueGene (Invossa TG-C).