Italian medical implant manufacturer Rejoint is reimagining the knee joint using electron beam melting (EBM) and IoT-connected, sensorized wearables.
(Image courtesy of Rejoint)
The global market for total knee replacement procedures was valued at over $9 billion in 2019 and is expected to grow at over 4.5% CAGR up to 2026, according to a report by Global Market Insights.
Until recently, the knee arthroplasty market consisted solely of standard prosthetic systems, with a limited range of sizes available. Correct and precise sizing and positioning are critical factors for the success of this type of intervention, which is now clinically routine, but still variable in terms of success.
Knee joints have to withstand point loads that can reach levels of over 300 kilograms. Even minimal dimensional changes between the patient’s bone elements and an implant can cause pain and inflammation. For the patient, over- or under-sizing means constant awareness of the presence of an artificial joint, as well as leading to muscle and ligament decay.
Patient feedback after an implant can sometimes reflect these issues and indicates that dissatisfaction can be felt by one in five patients and sometimes even to levels of one in four. Dissatisfaction is often largely related to the suboptimal sizing of the implanted prosthesis.
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