RAS offers numerous benefits to the field of orthopedics, including improved range of motion for patients, faster recovery after joint replacement surgery, and enhanced outcomes for musculoskeletal procedures. The orthopedic RAS sector is experiencing significant growth with a +10% Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) predicted from 2023-2028.

Our report, Robotic-Assisted Surgery (RAS) in Orthopedic Procedures: A 2024 Review, provides a comprehensive overview of the orthopedic RAS market in the United States (US) and Western Europe. Continue reading to discover the main findings of the report and insights into trends behind the market growth.

Introduction to Robotics in Orthopedic Surgery

Orthopedic surgeries focus on addressing conditions or injuries affecting the musculoskeletal system, and are broken down into knee and hip, spine, extremities and trauma procedures, and others. These procedures have steadily increased in recent years.

Orthopedic surgeons value the increased precision, better planning, and better clinical outcomes offered by RAS, while they identified cost, the steep learning curve, and longer set-up time as the greatest barriers to adoption.

Orthopedic RAS Clinical Landscape and Adoption

Orthopedic RAS is mostly used in knee replacement, hip replacement, and spinal fusion procedures, and usage is expected to increase significantly over the next five years.

The benefits of knee replacement RAS compared to traditional surgeries include better patient outcomes and satisfaction, while high levels of required training might limit adoption. Hip replacement RAS is more costly and takes longer than conventional hip procedures; the main driver for adoption remains patient demand backed by higher satisfaction and a natural feeling joint. Performing spinal fusion RAS device eliminates staff radiation and improves accuracy, but lacks real-time feedback, due to the absence of fluoroscopy, and has high procedural costs.

RAS is expected to be used in more applications such as retro patellar knee replacement, lateral approach knee replacement, full ankle replacement, and shoulder replacement.

Procurement and Payer Landscape

Robotic surgery is a high-cost, high-risk specialty which requires a multi-stakeholder decision process. Over 100 Health Technology Assessments (HTAs) have been published on soft tissue surgeries to date compared to only one HTA on an orthopedic robotic system. As the clinical and economic evidence base for orthopedic RAS develops, national and hospital-level HTAs will become increasingly common.

Orthopedic RAS Commercial Landscape

This highly competitive and crowded ecosystem features emerging startups and a handful of dominant players who secure their market share by offering comprehensive solutions.

More than $1 billion of capital has been raised in the orthopedic RAS field since 2016, driven by heavy investments from venture capital and private equity firms. Deals through May of 2023 showed a promising year in the sector.

Orthopedic RAS Outlook

In the landscape of orthopedic RAS, three key trends shape the market outlook. One is the Asia Pacific (APAC) market, characterized by strong expected growth with significant market expansion due to a commitment to innovation and rising demand for high-quality healthcare services.

The second trend is the ongoing miniaturization of sensors and specialization for specific orthopedic procedures, especially in the context of minimally invasive surgeries. The third trend is augmented reality and virtual reality, which provide immersive and risk-free platforms that enhance surgical performance, patient outcomes, and surgical techniques.