The Tiger Dashboard – Jan 2026
Your monthly ortho industry DASHBOARD – no-ads, no bias, just my insider thoughts with exclusive predictions, trends, recent deals, funding […]
Epigenetics: The Silent Future of Orthopedic Treatments
Why Read? Get a glimpse of the future of orthopedics, that’s not AI, not imaging, not robotics, and not metal.
7 benefits of working at a startup
I’ve been knee-deep in the ortho startup world for decades—working in three of them, chatting with founders on my blog
The End of the “Mystery Pain” Era: Why ExplantLab is the Most Anticipated US Orthopedic Launch
Tiger’s Take We are moving away from the era of “one size fits all” orthopedics. We’ve mastered the metal and
This UK Start will put an end to the “Mystery Pain” era in total joints
Why read In our industry, the landscape is dominated by mechanical innovations, but some of the biggest breakthroughs are non-
Company > Product
In the quest for orthopedic innovation, many startups chase the illusion of the quick win—building a product. Few grasp the
Making sense of the Tecomet+Orchid merger
Tiger’s Take In my view, the Tecomet-Orchid merger is the definitive signal that the “supply chain as a service” model
Historical lesson: Ray Elliott’s Open Letter that shook Boardrooms and reversed an acquisition.
In orthopedic M&A, one audacious open letter stands as a masterclass in disruption. Back in 2003, Smith & Nephew had
S+N acquires Integrity Orthopaedics for $450M ($225M upfront payment plus up to $225M in earn-outs over five year)
Tiger’s Take This acquisition may trigger more fundings and more M&A in the Sports Med space. About a year ago,
5 reasons you might be “accidentally” Hiring a “B” Player into your company.
Your team defines your company—it’s that straightforward.We all know this deep down: It’s not the tech, the office space, the
How to Make More Money if you are in Orthopedic Sales.
Many many ortho sales pros are frustrated in 2026. This is a rant that I wrote last night, but some
Your 1-2-3 playbook for building a monopoly in orthopedics.
Why Read ? Monopolies are the holy grail if you can create one and maintain it for years. I saw
The Lobster Effect: How to Turn Stagnation into Your Next Big Career Move
We are all learning and growing in our careers. But what happens when your growth slows down? You may not
Building a Durable Competitive Moat: Your 7 Point Checklist
What can we learn from Big Ortho about moats? I’ve seen countless startups rise and fall, and let me tell
How a Hot New Startup is Fixing Supply Chains from the Basement Up.
In our ortho industry, we spend an incredible amount of time obsessing over implant geometry, surface coatings, and robotic precision.
13 Proven Ways to Drive Your Small Ortho Company to Profitability
Market conditions in Ortho are tighter than a locked pedicle screw these days—extended sales processes, rising costs, regulatory hurdles, and
Dear CEO, what are you optimizing for? Pick 2.
Why Read? Orthopedic CEOs have a tough job. Challenges come at them from all directions. They are contending with lengthened
Don’t underestimate local Sales expertise
I’ve seen just about every sales model under the sun. From the $50K box openers at Arthrex to independent distributors
New startup can ZAP bacterial biofilms off metallic joints post-up.
Often there is a silent killer lurking beneath the skin, turning orthopedic implants into ticking time bombs of infection—resistant to
A detailed look at the positive Medline IPO and the opened door.
The Medline IPO is a strong signal. Maybe we will see more Ortho PE IPOs in 2026. I would watch
How EU MDR Regulations Are Robbing Patients of Proven Orthopedic Implants
In a poignant LinkedIn post that has resonated across the orthopedic community, Robert Clayton, President of the British Orthopaedic Foot
How “Customer Capture” happened in Ortho
Why Read Over time in orthopedics, we have all seen the focus shift away from clinical innovation and patient outcomes
Who is Reinhold Schmieding?
NOTE: This article will tell you who Reinhold is based on his early work. It was written in 2011 and
How to Get Rich in Orthopedics (without getting lucky) in 9 Strategies.
Our industry has created fortunes for those who navigate it with precision. From trailblazing entrepreneurs like Dane Miller or Maurice
The Risk Curve: How Orthos Lose Their Innovation Edge as They Grow.
The appetite for risk in orthopedic medical device companies evolves dramatically with their size—reflecting changes in resources, priorities, and stakeholder
The short history of rebranding in Ortho
Over the years I have watched many orthopedic companies rename themselves, or rebrand themselves or pivot. Most of the time
Revolutionizing Rotator Cuff Repairs with Adjustable Anchors and AI-Powered Scaffolds
I am watching the soft tissue repair revolution heating up fast. Rotator cuff tears alone affect millions, with re-tear rates
IP for Sale – Innovative Polyaxial Screw Locking Platform – Two Granted US Patents
If you are not an OrthoStreams subscriber, you can read the full details here – https://lnkd.in/g7dS_B4K Tiger Buford and Andrea Davis are brokering
Robots in ortho surgery – a contrarian view.
My perspective is completely different from the BoneZone piece this week, Robots Are Setting the New Standard of Surgical Care,
Brumation is not glamorous for startups, but it beats death.
Many startups are struggling to raise capital and rather than drive off the cliff, there is an option available –
10 Rules for Great Product Development – for Orthos growing beyond the startup phase
I know Product Development because I led PD for 35 years. People in organized ortho companies call me asking: “Why
The Marshmallow Challenge
Why Read If you’re leading or working in an orthopedics or medtech engineering and innovation team, stop scrolling and read
Good Vibrations for a Bad Knee
I am watching the joint preservation movement growing rapidly. Patients do not trust their orthopedists 100% any longer. Especially when
How did we stray so far away from our customer’s needs?
As we prepare to enter 2026, Surgeons are still being blasted with features, features, features at medical shows and over
Finally… a better Vendor Credentialing platform, controlled from inside your device company.
Why This Matters As someone who’s been covering ortho innovations for years, I see RepSource as a breath of fresh
SPD Robots will have better payback than OR Robots in Hospital ROI.
Today, we’re talking robots. Not the flashy surgical arms stealing the spotlight in the OR, but the unsung heroes that
The Tiger Dashboard – Edition #1 (Dec 2025)
I am thrilled to share the inaugural edition of The Tiger Dashboard with everyone—for this month only. These are my
Why Your Surgeon Customers are Reluctant to Change Products?
In our industry, many ortho surgeons often stick with the products they know, even when newer options hit the market.
Rising Titans: How Globus Medical and Arthrex are carving out dominance in US Ortho
If you’ve been in the ortho industry for any time, you know the big dogs like Stryker, Zimmer Biomet, and
New startup is pioneering Therapeutic Hardware
This new startup is pioneering Therapeutic Hardware with 3D-printed porous pedicle screws that mimic bone’s trabecular structure to enhance integration,
Industry Scoop – Look for Big Ortho Exiting Spine via M&A and Spin-Outs
Heard on the street. This is going to be a wild few months with a ton of disruption in people.
Spotting the Danger Signs: Is Your Orthopedic Startup Just a Science Project?
Too many startup CEOs call me with excitement about their company, when its not a company yet. It’s a science
Can an Ortho startup thrive and survive with an “ASC only” customer strategy?
Why Read? This article explores a proven “ASC-only” strategy via an 8-step playbook for entrepreneurs, covering ASC-optimized product design, partnerships,
Shame on Aesculap
Shame on Aesculap: A $38.5M Settlement Exposes Device Failures, Kickbacks, and Why Foreign Ortho Giants Hesitate on the U.S. Market
NASS 2025 was a yawner
What happened at NASS this year? Spoiler: It was less “spine-tingling breakthroughs” and more “spine-tingling hangovers from ghost tours.” Let’s
Startup to innovate small bones fixation
Meduloc is revolutionizing small-bone trauma care with its FDA-cleared, minimally invasive nitinol intramedullary implants that deliver precise reduction, rotational stability,
Spine Market Snapshot – #NASS2025
Hey folks, Tiger Buford here with a quick dive into the spine market as NASS 2025 kicks off in Denver.
Beyond Fusion: Centinel’s Conquest of Motion Preservation
There is a seismic shift underway in spine. Traditional rigid fusions, once the standard for treating degenerative disc disease, are
Coming… non-compete freedom for orthopedists
Orthopedists may have more employment freedom as Non-Compete Agreements continue to evolve in the US. While the FTC’s proposed nationwide
Team is Everything: Hire high IQ people who will push your org… or your org will burn out.
In orthopedic startups—where innovation in joint replacements, regenerative therapies, or AI-driven surgical planning can make or break your venture—it’s easy