Canes and Crutches Market - Growth, Trends, and Forecasts (2023 - 2028)

Canes and Crutches Market - Growth, Trends, and Forecasts (2023 - 2028)

The canes and crutches market is expected to register a CAGR of 4.3% over the forecast period.

The COVID-19 outbreak significantly impacted the canes and crutches market. The pandemic-related supply chain delay caused a global aluminum shortage, and hospitals across the United States were asked for donations of gently used crutches, canes, and other orthopedic equipment. For instance, a news release from Beaufort Memorial Hospital in South Carolina in November 2021 stated that a global aluminum shortage left hospitals like Beaufort Memorial without essential supplies of crutches for patients, prompting a request for community donations of gently used adult crutches. Hence, the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the market during the initial phases. However, as the COVID-19 cases started to decline, the market started to show normal pre-pandemic level growth.

The rise in the geriatric population and the increase in the incidence of rheumatoid arthritis and other disabilities are actively boosting the growth of the studied market. For instance, as per the World Population Prospects, there were 771 million people aged 65 years or over globally in 2022 and this number is projected to reach 994 million by 2030 and 1.6 billion by 2050. Such a large geriatric population around the globe is likely to create the need for canes and crutches thereby supporting market growth. Additionally, according to the WHO data updated in July 2022, musculoskeletal diseases (MSD) are the main cause of disability in the world that affected 1.71 billion people globally in 2021. Thus, the burden of MSD is expected to drive demand for canes and crutches, thereby contributing to the overall market growth.

Additionally, funding by the government and healthcare institutions is likely to propel growth. For instance, in December 2021, Harrogate and District National Health Service Foundation Trust in the United Kingdom spent USD 17,057.25 (GBP 14,000) on purchasing new crutches and issued around 2,000 pairs to patients. Such initiatives are expected to contribute the market growth.

However, increasing alternatives for canes and crutches is likely to impede the market growth over the forecast period.

The multiple-legged cane, which has more than three tips, provides a broader support base. Multiple-legged canes help reduce falls and are necessary for persons with hip osteoarthritis or inflammatory arthritis to make everyday tasks easier. An increase in the incidence of diseases like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis associated with the geriatric population is a prime factor that affects the mobility of the patients, and as a result, the demand for canes is likely to increase. For instance, according to an article published by the Archives of Rehabilitation Research and Clinical Translation, in September 2022, patients with hip osteoarthritis have greater hip loading on the healthy side than on the affected side. Cane reduces the ground reaction force and hip joint load on the affected side. Additionally, according to an article published by Frontiers Media S.A., in November 2022, in old age, osteoarthritis patients are mostly exposed to continual limitations in daily life activities. Since osteoarthritis is more common in the geriatric population, this will likely increase the demand for the product.

Furthermore, as per the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the share of people above 65 years of age in the total population increased from 16.83% in 2018 to 17.26% in 2021. With the increase in the geriatric population, the demand for multi-legged canes increases, therefore driving the market growth over the forecast period.

North America is expected to dominate the market owing to factors such as the rising incidence of musculoskeletal disorders, the growing geriatric population, the strong presence of industry players in the region, and better healthcare infrastructure. For instance, according to Arthritis Society Canada's data published in September 2021, 1 in 5 Canadians lives with one or more types of arthritis. Arthritis is one of Canada's most prevalent chronic diseases, affecting 6 million people in 2021, and is expected to affect 9 million people by 2040. It also stated that people with arthritis are likely to have five times more mobility issues than people without the disease. Hence, with the increasing prevalence of arthritis and mobility issues, the canes and crutches market is expected to grow in the country.

Furthermore, according to the statistics of the Arthritis Foundation, in 2022, osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting more than 32.5 million in the Americas, and about half of the knees with anterior cruciate ligament(ACL) injuries develop osteoarthritis within 5 to 15 years. By 2040, 78 million Americans are projected to have osteoarthritis. With the increase in anterior cruciate ligament injuries, the demand for canes and crutches increases, thereby driving the growth of the market.

The canes and crutches market is fragmented in nature due to the presence of a large number of companies operating globally as well as regionally. The competitive landscape includes an analysis of a few international and local companies that hold market shares and are well-known. Some market players are Drive, Cardinal Health, Inc., Medline Industries, Inc., GF Health Products Inc., NOVA Medical Products, Invacare Corporation, Ergoactives, and Sunrise Medical.

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