Soft Tissue Repair Market Assessment, By Product [Tissue Fixation Devices, Tissue Patch/Mesh], By Application [Hernia Repair, Dural Repair, Skin Repair, Orthopedic Repair, Vaginal Sling, Dental Repair, Breast Reconstruction Repair, Others], By End-user [H

Soft Tissue Repair Market Assessment, By Product [Tissue Fixation Devices, Tissue Patch/Mesh], By Application [Hernia Repair, Dural Repair, Skin Repair, Orthopedic Repair, Vaginal Sling, Dental Repair, Breast Reconstruction Repair, Others], By End-user [Hospitals, Clinics, Ambulatory Surgical Services], By Region, Opportunities and Forecast, 2017-2031F

The global soft tissue repair market is projected to witness a CAGR of 4.48% during the forecast period 2024-2031, growing from USD 14.51 billion in 2023 to USD 20.61 billion in 2031. The major factors supporting the growth of the market include increased provision of grants that support research activities related to soft tissue repair, the growing geriatric population, rising incidences of sports-related injuries, and novel product launches.

The growth of the aging population is bolstering the demand for soft tissue repair solutions as they are more susceptible to the requirement of soft tissue repair solutions owing to their vulnerability to various afflictions. As an individual age, the bone mineral density decreases, increasing the occurrence of fractures and propelling the requirement for orthopedic repair solutions. Additionally, increasing incidences of sports related injuries are also supporting the growth of the market as they are boosting the requirement for different types of soft tissue repair solutions. Due to the increasing demand for technologies and products to repair soft tissues, several leading market players and start-ups are heavily investing in launching novel products and technologies.

Various studies are also being conducted by different companies and research institutions to support the development of novel products and assess the safety of existing solutions. For instance, Tissium, a France-based biotechnology company is conducting an interventional study to capture preliminary performance and safety of the Adhesive Hernia Repair System (TAHRS) for Atraumatic Laparoscopic repair of hernia. The study is expected to conclude in December 2024.

Rising Emphasis on Research and Development Activities Support Market Growth

Over the past few years, various leading market players and startups have steadily increased investments in various research and development activities to promote the development of technologically advanced soft tissue repair products. For instance, Regenosca, a Switzerland-based startup is involved with the development of implants that are engineered as a noninvasive alternative to the patient’s tissue grafts. The solution developed by the company targets patients who require an autograft soft tissue repair surgery. With the help of TissueSpan implants, patients can avoid having a second surgical site, reducing the risk of complications, surgery time, and pain. The next product in the startup’s pipeline is an implant for oesophagus reconstruction to replace the currently used patient’s intestinal tissue or stomach.

Various regulatory bodies are also providing clearance for different products and expanding their indications of use. For instance, in 2023, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted 510(k) clearance to three surgical mesh products. This clearance has expanded their indication for use. The intended use of surgical mesh products is the reinforcement of soft tissues where weaknesses exist.

Increasing Incidences of Sports Related Injuries and Aging Population Boost Market Demand

The expansion of the aging population and increasing incidences of sports related injuries are some of the major factors supporting the growth of the soft tissue repair market. Sports injuries commonly occur through direct impact or overuse of a certain body part. It can also occur if the application of force is greater than what the part of the body can structurally withstand. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, approximately 30 million teenagers and children participate in some type of organized sport and over 3.5 million injuries occur every year. Various times the sports related injury requires that the soft tissues be repaired.

Meanwhile, the aging population is more susceptible to various soft tissue injuries as they go through metabolic inefficiencies and physiological changes. According to the Journal of Abdominal Wall Surgery, the lifetime occurrence of groin hernias is 3%-6% in women and 27%-43% in men, with high prevalence in elderly patients. Thus, propelling the requirement for hernia repair in the elderly.

North America Accounts for Significant Soft Tissue Repair Market Share

The market expansion in North America can be attributed to a wide range of drivers, including rising investments in the healthcare infrastructure, growing incidences of sports related injuries, increasing geriatric population, and strong presence of various leading market players and research institutions. The rise in the number of novel product launches is providing lucrative growth opportunities for the market. The growing investments in different research activities are further bolstering the market growth in the region. For instance, the Cleveland Clinic, Ohio, United States is involved in an interventional study to evaluate the effectiveness of ArthroFLEX® ECM scaffold graph for rotator cuff repair surgeries to reduce the rate of failure of rotator cuff repairs for massive and large rotator cuff repairs. The multi-center, randomized, and controlled clinical trial will involve seventy patients, with thirty-five patients being randomly assigned to each arm. The study is expected to be completed in June 2024.

Tissue Patch/Mesh Account for Significant Share of the Market

The segment growth can be attributed to the increasing utilization of synthetic mesh for different orthopedic procedures, including arthritis, owing to their ability to minimize surgery time. According to the data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), during 2019-2021, an approximated 53.2 million adults in the United States were diagnosed with some form of arthritis, including gout, lupus, fibromyalgia, and rheumatoid arthritis. Novel product launches are also supporting the expansion of the segment. For instance, in 2021 Myriad Morcells™, a powdered format of Myriad Matrix™, received the 10(k) clearance by the FDA. The product was launched by the soft tissue regeneration company, Aroa Biosurgery Limited. The product easily optimizes contact with irregular wound beds.

Orthopedic Repair Segment Witnesses Significant Expansion

The growth of the orthopedic repair segment can be attributed to the increasing geriatric population and rising incidences of sports related injuries. As individuals age, bone mineral density decreases, resulting in increased brittleness of bones, making them more prone to orthopedic injuries. The risk of injury also increases if other health issues, including vision problems and unsteady balance, become more prominent. Due to such factors, the demand for orthopedic soft tissue repair procedures and the development of new products is increasing. Various biotechnology companies are also welcoming experts from the orthopedic industry to strengthen their orthopedic repair segment. For instance, ABANZA a leading Biotechnology company welcomed a new Executive Vice President for US Operations, with notable expertise in the orthopedic industry to ensure the commercialization of their WASHERCAP™ Soft Tissue Fixation System. WASHERCAP™ is the first in a series of innovative product releases that will focus on soft tissue fixation and repair.

Future Market Scenario (2024 – 2031F)

With the help of their recently secured funding, ZuriMED a Zürich-based biotechnology company, is expected to obtain regulatory approval for their initial product that will focus on repairing shoulder rotator cuff injuries. The company plans on entering the surgical device market in Europe and the United States over the course of three years.

Various research organizations and scientific institutions are being rewarded with funding and grants to support soft tissue restoration, promoting novel research, and supporting the growth of the market. For instance, in 2023, Penn State chemical engineering and reconstructive surgery researchers received a four-year, USD 3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health’s National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to develop new methods of restoring soft tissue loss in patients with the help of two coordinating revascularization techniques. The team of researchers plans to combine a microsurgical tactic known as vascular micropuncture with a class of protein-based granular hydrogel biomaterials.

Key Players Landscape and Outlook

Key participants in the soft tissue repair market include Arthrex, Inc., Baxter International Inc., Medtronic, Boston Scientific Corporation, and Stryker Corporation. The market expansion is supported by increasing cases of trauma, rising sports related injuries, and growing investments by various organizations towards the development of advanced technological solutions.

In 2023, ZuriMED Technologies, one of the leading biotechnology companies based in Zürich, announced that they raised €15 million for their minimally invasive tech that is expected to transform soft tissue repair. The company plans on using the funds to accelerate the acceptance and advancement of its Surgical-Fiberlock technology, the innovative solution that was specially designed for repairing soft tissues through minimally invasive surgical procedures. The funding round was joined by a group of private investors that included prominent orthopedic surgeons from Germany, Switzerland, France, and the United States and Yellowstone Holding AG and led by Chindex Medical Limited.