The Long Run of Composites in Orthopaedics
The use of composite materials in orthopaedics is rapidly increasing, with the market estimated to reach USD 286 million in 2024 and grow at a CAGR of over 5% to cross USD 385 million by 2030.
Published: 12 Aug 2024
Remember the man at the centre of the cover image? He is Oscar Pistorius, also known as the ‘Blade Runner’, and the first double-leg amputee to compete in summer Olympic Games in 2012.The artificial legs (blades) which made it possible and rendered him speed were made of carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP). 12 years are passed, and carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) prosthetics are now a common-place at various international sporting events.Composites are gaining popularity in modern-day orthopaedics and are used in orthotic and prosthetic manufacturing. According to Stratview Research, the market for orthopaedic composites will reach USD 286 million in 2024. (See Figure 1) Fig. 1: Global Orthopaedic Composites Market Forecast (2025-2030)The human bones are themselves composites and are made of both hard and soft materials: calcium and collagen. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), bone is the second most frequently transplanted tissue after blood, with over two million transplants performed worldwide every year. Orthopaedic surgeries can trigger immune systems, making it essential for any implant material to function as effectively as natural tissue.Traditional materials like nickel, chromium, cobalt, and ceramics pose risks of infection since they rapidly degrade in the body’s atmosphere. In fact, the most frequently- used material for orthopaedic implants - Titanium is also prone to hypersensitivity, and in some cases, titanium alloy hypersensitivity has also resulted in failed hip prostheses, cardiac pacemaker implantation, and more. Such failures often necessitate revision surgeries.To address the challenges posed by metals, their composite counterparts having superior strength and biocompatibility properties, that are capable of safely and gradually degrading in the body within the required healing time, are being used in the orthopaedic industry. The introduction of composite materials in the orthopaedic industry created a buzz addressing various challenges. Let us explore more.
