The Orthopedic Braces and Supports Market is expected to register a CAGR of 4.2% from 2022 to 2029 to reach $4.44 billion by 2029. Orthopedic braces & supports are used to align, support, correct the position, and protect certain body parts as they heal from injuries or trauma such as ligament and ankle injury and replacement. These braces are also used to treat sports injuries such as hamstring strains, hairline fractures, ankle sprains, anterior cruciate ligament tears and tennis elbow. They are also used in aging conditions such as osteoarthritis. They provide comfort while walking, reducing pain, minimizing swelling and inflammation, and assisting in limb movement. Thus, they permit walkers to move and work independently.
The rising incidence of orthopedic disorders, use of braces & supports for injury prevention, and the increasing number of accidents and sport-related injuries are driving the growth of the orthopedic braces & supports market. Additionally, easy accessibility to the products due to e-commerce is supporting the market growth.
COVID-19 Impact Assessment
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted almost all business areas, especially the healthcare sector. Hospitals, clinics, and healthcare centers had to quickly adapt to the highest sterilization processes and defer elective treatment and surgical appointments to prevent patients from contracting. All non-emergency healthcare appointments were postponed or attended online; patients refrained from approaching hospitals and clinics due to the fear and anxiety of infection. Such changes in the healthcare sector negatively impacted orthopedic consultations and the growth of the orthopedic braces & supports market.
Furthermore, restrictions on organized sports due to rising COVID-19 cases for a long time also negatively impacted the market. Nationwide lockdowns imposed by the governments globally restricted the accessibility to orthopedic clinics and hospitals. Hence, social distancing, lockdowns, limited access to non-essential services, and the slowdown in patient flow and referrals negatively impacted the market.
However, this impact on the market was short-term as orthopedic braces & supports were made available on e-commerce websites with the rise in online consultations from orthopedic doctors.
Increasing Cases of Orthopedic Disorders are Driving the Market Growth
The population worldwide is rapidly aging and in need of good musculoskeletal health. The burden of musculoskeletal disorders is the largest among the aging population resulting in increasing healthcare expenditure. For instance, the American College of Rheumatology report of March 2021 states that nearly 1.3 billion people globally have musculoskeletal disorders. The use of orthopedic braces & supports for the clinical management of different orthopedic disorders and diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, osteoporotic fractures, and osteoarthritis is increasing, driving the growth of the orthopedic braces & supports market.
These products offer faster patient recovery and higher clinical efficacy than other therapies, such as pain medications. Additionally, increasing accidents and a rise in the population with lifestyle disorders and obese individuals with musculoskeletal disorders positively impact the market.
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Increasing Accessibility to Orthopedic Braces & Supports through Online and Offline Channels is Driving the Market
Some braces & supports require orthopedic technicians or medical practitioners' supervision as they need alteration or customization per the patients' needs. However, some braces & supports such as wrist/hand braces, elbow braces, ankle braces, and shoulder braces are sold by retailers over the counter, as it is more accessible and can be made available quickly from the nearby pharmacy and on e-commerce websites as their use do not need supervision. Furthermore, the use of such braces & supports is increasing for preventive care; people use these products regularly to prevent injuries.
Major players in the market are focusing on product launches. For instance, in February 2021, Breg, Inc. (U.S.) launched 15 products for spine bracing designed for patients suffering from spinal injuries.
Key Findings in the Global Orthopedic Braces & Supports Market Study:
Based on Product, the Knee Braces & Supports Segment is Expected to Account for the Largest Share in 2022
Based on product, the orthopedic braces & supports market is segmented into knee braces & supports, ankle braces & supports, facial braces & supports, elbow braces & supports, back, hip, and spine braces & supports, shoulder braces & supports, foot walkers and orthoses and hand and wrist braces & supports. The knee braces & supports segment is expected to account for the largest share of the global orthopedic braces & supports market in 2022, mainly due to the high prevalence of knee-related orthopedic illnesses and associated product benefits such as tissue compression around the knee, tissue healing, and reduction in pain.
Based on Type, the Soft and Elastic Braces & Supports Segment is Expected to Account for the Largest Share in 2022
Based on type, the orthopedic braces & supports market is segmented into hinged braces & supports, soft and elastic braces & supports, and hard braces & supports. The soft and elastic braces & supports segment is expected to account for the largest share of the global orthopedic braces & supports market in 2022. The large market share of this segment is attributed to the cost-effectiveness of soft and elastic braces & supports and flexibility and availability of various sizes and shapes compared to other types.
Based on Application, the Ligament Injury is Expected to Account for the Largest Share in 2022
Based on application, the orthopedic braces & supports Market is segmented into compression therapy, preventive care, osteoarthritis, ligament injury, and preventive care. The ligament injury segment is expected to account for the largest share of the global orthopedic braces & supports market in 2022. The large market share of this segment is attributed to the increase in sports injuries, high adoption of braces during excise sessions to prevent ligament injuries, and increased accidents leading to ligament fractures.
Based on Distribution Channel, the Pharmacies and Retailers Segment is Expected to Account for the Largest Share in 2022
Based on the distribution channel, the orthopedic braces & supports market is segmented into e-commerce platforms, orthopedic clinics, pharmacies & retailers, hospitals and surgical centers. The pharmacies and retailers are expected to account for the largest share of the global orthopedic braces & supports market in 2022. The large market share of this segment is attributed to the increased availability of over-the-counter products, easy accessibility, and quick purchase from pharmacies & retailers.
Asia-Pacific: Fastest Growing Regional Market
The rapid growth of this market is attributed to factors such as the increasing geriatric population, rising prevalence of obesity, increasing prevalence of diabetes and orthopedic diseases, and rising healthcare expenditure. The increasing cases of obesity and diabetes are likely to enhance the risk of osteoarthritis, driving the market growth.
Key Players
The report includes a competitive landscape based on an extensive assessment of the key strategic developments that led market participants to adopt over the past years. The key players operating in the global orthopedic braces & supports market are Bauerfeind AG (Germany), Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. (U.S.), 3M Company (U.S.), Össur hf. (Iceland), Breg, Inc. (U.S.), Enovis Corporation (U.S.), Bird & Cronin, LLC (U.S.), DeRoyal Industries, Inc. (U.S.), Essity Aktiebolag (publ) (Sweden), and Ottobock SE & Co. KGaA (Germany).
Scope of the Report:
Orthopedic Braces & Supports Market, by Product
- Knee Braces & Supports
- Ankle Braces & Supports
- Foot Walkers & Orthoses
- Back, Hip, and Spine Braces & Supports
- Neck and Cervical Braces & Supports
- Shoulder Braces & Supports
- Elbow Braces & Supports
- Hand and Wrist Braces & Supports
- Facial Braces & Supports
Orthopedic Braces & Supports Market, by Type
- Soft and Elastic Braces & supports
- Hinged Braces & Supports
- Hard and Rigid Braces & Supports
Orthopedic Braces & Supports Market, by Application
- Ligament Injury
- Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury
- Lateral Collateral Ligament Injury
- Preventive Care
- Post-operative Rehabilitation
- Osteoarthritis
- Compression Therapy
- Other Applications
Note: Other applications include musculoskeletal disorders, carpal tunnel syndrome, and occupational injuries
Orthopedic Braces & Supports Market, by Distribution Channel
- Orthopedic Clinics
- Hospitals
- Pharmacies & Retailers
- E-commerce Platforms
- Other Distribution Channels
Note: Other distribution channels include physiotherapy clinics and surgery centers
Orthopedic Braces & Supports Market, by Geography
- North America
- Europe
- Germany
- U.K.
- France
- Italy
- Spain
- Rest of Europe (RoE)
- Asia-Pacific (APAC)
- China
- Japan
- India
- Rest of APAC (RoAPAC)
- Latin America
- Brazil
- Mexico
- Rest of Latin America (RoLATAM)
- Middle East & Africa
Key questions answered in the report: