Executive Summary

The European orthopedic implants and trauma products market consists of hip, knee, shoulder, and small joint reconstruction and replacements; fracture fixation and bone growth stimulation; bone graft substitutes and growth factors; and bone cements segments. "European Markets for Orthopedic Implants and Trauma Products", a report published in October 2004 by Windhover/Medtech Insight, surveys and forecasts these markets in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK. Within these countries there is considerable potential for new and innovative technologies such as bone graft substitutes and the use of resorbable implants in trauma. However, medical-based evidence must show added value and improvement in a patient's quality of life before such innovations will be broadly accepted. Meeting health care regulatory authorities' compliance criteria while not burdening health care payers with dramatic increases in reimbursement budgets is viewed as a major driving factor within Europe.