I just read a nice article in BoneZone about how the TKA market is ballooning, thanks to our aging population, rising obesity, and younger folks wanting to keep running marathons. We’re looking at nearly half of a $21.4 billion pie just for knees.
But here’s the kicker: everyone’s obsessing over the implants – shiny new materials and 3D-printed gadgets for that perfect anatomical fit and some magical osseointegration.
Let’s be real, though. We’ve been doing TKAs since the ’70s, and while we’ve tweaked the designs and improved our sterile techniques, the core hasn’t changed much. I designed the Genesis knee back in the ’80s at S+N, and guess what? Today’s implants aren’t that different.
Here’s the real deal in 2025: it’s not about the materials or the next big thing in manufacturing.
It’s all about the System.
We’re talking smart pre-op planning with AI, customizing surgeries to the individual, not just picking the right implant. And logistics? Critical. Getting the right tools and implants to the OR on time without turning the hospital staff into circus performers is where the innovation needs to be.
Whoever is focused on the System first will be the winners in the future. The companies and teams that see beyond the metal and plastic, focusing on how everything from patient intake to post-op care can be streamlined. Real-time inventory, less hassle for the OR crew, and adaptive surgical plans based on immediate feedback – that’s the future.
So, if you’re in the TKA game, stop fixating on the next best material. The real revolution is in making the entire process smoother, faster, and more tailored. That’s where we’re heading in 2025.