Motion preservation is the hottest topic around in spinal orthopaedics - a sector forecast to achieve 16% growth per year till 2011.

The concept of motion preservation in the spine is an intriguing one and the array of non-fusion technologies being introduced to the market offer a great deal of promise for spinal surgery patients.

However, despite the fact that some of these technologies have been in use in Europe and other international markets for many years, the clinical outcomes data available are extremely limited in proportion to the tens of thousands of procedures performed. While this has apparently not inhibited international growth, regulatory clearance criteria in the US are by far the most rigorous in the world. As such, the paucity of well-designed studies to prove the safety and effectiveness of artificial discs may hinder growth in the US.

Despite the lack of evidence, patient demand has not been dampened. A recent industry study of 461 prospective spine fusion patients, found that 49% would rather wait for a motion preserving implant than undergo a fusion procedure. A further 26% are still weighing the pros and cons of the two surgeries. Only 26% opted for the fusion procedure. Of course, owing to the many contradictions for total disc replacement, not all patients will be suitable candidates for the procedure.

What has become clear is that for optimal results, patient selection is critical with poor selection too often resulting in poor outcome. For certain segments of the patient population, traditional fusion will remain the appropriate therapy.

About the Author
This report has been researched and written by Espicom senior medical writer Tessa Neighbour. Tessa has over nine years market analysis and news reporting experience in the global medical devices industry. For many years she was editor of Espicom's leading market analysis service, Medical Device Companies Analysis and has recently researched and written Point of Care Diagnostics: Major Players and Key Issues. A number of factors are driving growth in spinal orthopaedics, but none are more important than the fundamental shift from the current leading spine fusion treatments to disc replacement.

What's it all about?
Spinal fusion has become the standard surgical care for numerous pathologic conditions of the spine. Spinal fusion surgery is frequently performed to treat spinal disorders such as spondylolisthesis, scoliosis, degenerative disc disease (DDD), instability of the spine or spinal fractures.
An alternative to spinal fusion in the treatment of DDD, is an artificial intervertebral disc. Unlike spinal fusion which achieves pain relief through immobilisation, artificial discs maintain motion at the operative level once the damaged disc has been removed. By preserving normal physiological motion, it is thought this may also reduce or prevent the development of adjacent segment degeneration. In addition, a bone graft is not required for an artificial disc replacement and this alleviates complications such as bone graft donor site pain and pseudo-arthritis. Furthermore, artificial disc replacements provide a more rapid return to activity than fusion surgery which requires time for the bone graft to grow into a solid mass.

This report provides real insights…
For executives working in industry and commerce, the need to understand the issues, players and products in this sector of high growth potential is essential. That is why Espicom, for 25 years a leading publisher of strategic business information for the medical device community, has published this extensive report.

In over 175-pages, the report examines the background to market, provides key figures and estimates for market growth and examines in-depth the companies and innovative products that are driving change.

This report answers key business questions…
What % of the market may be taken by the fledgling disc nucleus replacement market if it can overcome regulatory obstacles in the USA?
What competitive impact will Medtronic's breakthrough have in the US cervical TDR market?
What % of the global market will Dynamic Stabilisation Systems command in 2011?
What is the potential for minimally-invasive spinal technology?
Which development companies have the most promising and innovative technology and present the most attractive acquisition targets?
To what degree will gene-based diagnostic testing affect the market in the future?

Providing…
Comprehensive market forecasts of technology and application sectors to 2011

A thorough review of the spinal orthopaedic market worldwide

An examination of key products that are currently in development:
- Total Disc Replacement
- Dynamic Stabilisation Devices
- Disc Nucleus Replacement

A competitive review of 63 companies actively developing spinal preservation products