Sciatica Market- Growth, Trends, Covid-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2023 - 2028)

Sciatica Market- Growth, Trends, Covid-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2023 - 2028)

The Sciatica market is projected to register a CAGR of 9.5% during the forecast period (2022 – 2027).

With the increasing COVID-19 cases worldwide, healthcare services diverted all resources toward patients suffering from COVID-19 disease. Although COVID-19 severely affects the respiratory system, it has been reported to show effects on the musculoskeletal system too. Low back pain is one of the most common symptoms for which patients seek medical evaluation. A study published in the Journal of Pain Research in 2021 showed that after hospital discharge, 27.3% of post-COVID-19 individuals reported joint pain and 21.7% chest pain. Again, it was highlighted that four weeks after discharge from the hospital, 10–20% of patients treated in the ward suffered from myalgia, although the percentage increased to up 30% in those who needed intensive care unit (ICU) hospitalization. As per an article by Dr. Mehul Garala 2020, it is said that 80% of the population will get low back pain at some point in life, and it also has a high recurrence rate. The pain does not always have to be related to physical activity, such as lifting, and can occur spontaneously, such as when waking up in the morning. Fortunately, the majority of low back pain episodes can resolve over time.

Certain factors that are driving the market growth include the high recurrence rate of sciatica patients, which proves to be positive upfront for the sciatica market and helps patients to try new interventions. Sciatica is likely to recur if the spinal disc that contributed to Sciatica is severely damaged. The more damaged the disc, the more likely it is to re-herniate and causes Sciatica again. Also, if the patient continues to work in a high-physical stress environment, the risk of recurrence increases. For people with persistent severe symptoms that don’t respond to analgesics or improve with activity modification, other treatment options include taking oral steroids or receiving epidural steroid injections — injections into the epidural space around the spinal cord. In a study published in the National Library of Medicine in 2022, patients with chronic pain (more than six months) have a poorer outcome following surgery than patients with acute pain (less than six months). Some studies reported a cure rate of more than 75%, but other studies report cure rates of less than 50%. There are several newer orthopedic procedures to manage Sciatica, and all report success rates of 70% and above in the short term. Therefore, people are expected to try new treatment approaches and hence driving the market positively.

Any condition that may structurally impact or compress the sciatic nerve may cause sciatica symptoms. The most common cause of Sciatica is a herniated or bulging lumbar intervertebral disc. In the elderly population, lumbar spinal stenosis may cause these symptoms as well. Spondylolisthesis or a relative misalignment of one vertebra relative to another may also result in sciatic symptoms. Additionally, lumbar or pelvic muscular spasm and/or inflammation may impinge a lumbar or sacral nerve root causing sciatic symptoms. Several environmental and inherent factors thought to influence the development of Sciatica have been studied, including gender, body habitus, parity, age, genetic factors, occupation, and environmental factors. According to Mayo Clinic, in United States, 80% of the population will have low back pain in their lifetime. Thus, the increasing burden of Sciatica is leading to increasing demand for its treatment, as it is one of the most common conditions leading to chronic pain, thereby contributing to the market growth. Therefore, owing to the above-mentioned factors, the sciatica market is expected to grow over the forecast period of the study. However, the unavailability of diagnostic standards for sciatica and the presence of off-label drugs in the market for sciatica treatment are expected to restrain the sciatica market's growth over the forecast period.

The Non-Steroidal anti-inflammatory drug segment occupies a major share of the market over the forecast period (2022 - 2027). The main anti‐inflammatory, antipyretic, and analgesic effect of NSAIDs is based on the suppression of the cyclooxygenase (COX)‐1 and COX‐2 enzymes. By blocking the COX enzymes, vasodilation is reduced and inflammation relieved.

Non-steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are one of the most frequently prescribed drugs for the treatment of sciatica. The products are getting approvals and hence, creating lucrative opportunities in the market. As per sciaticapain.co.United Kingdom, 2022, pain killers stop the production of these cells, and the brain stops signaling that there is pain somewhere in the body. Pain killers and anti-inflammatory medicines are the most effective medicines that make up the most numerous group of drugs. Most commonly, antirheumatics (painkillers) are used to treat pain, fever, muscle pain, and other musculoskeletal disorders. Doctors recommend low-dose medications that can be purchased over the counter, such as Ibuprofen or Tylenol. The over-the-counter NSAIDs are meant to provide pain relief. Prescription NSAIDs may be necessary for pain relief if over-the-counter drugs are ineffective.

North America is expected to hold a major market share in the global Sciatica market due to the rise in the geriatric population and increasing prevalence of lower back pain in this region. As per a study published by National Center for Health Statistics, in 2021, around 39% of adults in United States stated they had experienced back pain within the past three months. A greater number of orthopedic procedures due to greater healthcare penetration in United States and Canada drives the sciatica market. The high concentration of the major hospitals in the developed countries of this region, coupled with good reimbursement rates, is adding fuel to the market growth. Moreover, the large share of surgical procedures, especially sciatica treatment, in the returns of hospitals favors the market. Back pain is one of the most common types of pain among adults in United States. Such pain can be caused by strained muscles or ligaments, excess weight, poor posture, psychological problems, or everyday activities.

United States is one of the most affected countries across the world, as there are higher numbers of patients suffering from Sciatica and higher in the North American region as the patient population is increasing compared to other countries owing to which North America region is expected to occupy a significant share in the sciatica market over the forecast period.

Further, the increasing geriatric population of the region is expected to have a significant impact on the growth of the studied market as the older population is more prone to pain and other musculoskeletal disorders. For instance, according to the 2021 report of United States Census Bureau, more than 54 million people of age 65 years and more were living in the country in 2020 and this number is projected to reach 85.7 million by 2050, which will be about 20% of the total population of United States. Moreover, high expenditure on healthcare, especially in United States and Canada, along with increased awareness about the disease, is fueling the growth of the overall regional market to a large extent. ​Therefore, due to the aforementioned factors, the North American region is expected to hold a significant share in the sciatica market over the forecast period.

The Sciatica market is fragmented and competitive and consists of several major players. In terms of market share, a few of the major players are currently dominating the market. Some of the companies which are currently dominating the market are Sorrento Therapeutics, SpineThera, Eliem Therapeutics, Scilex Holding, Sinfonia Biotherapeutics, Seikagaku Corporation, Kolon life Science and others.

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