Viscosupplementation
is a minimally invasive procedure that helps reduce joint pain and improves the
functional condition of the osteoarthritic joint. It is a treatment in which a
thick fluid named hyaluronate or hyaluronic acid is injected into the knee
joint Hyaluronic acid is distributed throughout the body in epithelial,
connective tissues, and neural tissues to promote better joint development and
lubrication. Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis that occurs when the
flexible tissue at the ends of bones begins to wear down. Moreover,
osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in the world. It can be
classified into 2 categories such as primary and secondary osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis is
characterized by loss of function and degeneration of cartilage and tissues
that cover the ends of the bones in a joint. There is not a complete cure for
osteoarthritis, hyaluronic acid is thought to improve the lubricating
properties of the synovial fluid, provide a more comfortable level of activity,
improve mobility, and reduce the pain from osteoarthritis of the knee. The increasing
prevalence of osteoarthritis is expected to increase the demand for viscosupplementation
products, which is expected to drive the viscosupplementation market growth.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 9.6% of men and 18.0%
of women aged 60 years and above have symptomatic osteoarthritis worldwide.
However, the number is expected to increase due to the growing geriatric
population and the obesity epidemic.
Moreover, novel
biomimetic polymer viscosupplements are rapidly replacing in-development osteoarthritis
joint injections, and thus, key players are focused on increasing research and
development in biocompatible polymers. These polymers are widely used in the
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved stents, surgical meshes, and
contact lenses, and help prevent degradation associated with hyaluronate.
Furthermore, the viscosupplementation
market is expected to witness robust growth in 2021 with a somewhat
recovery of emerging and developed economies from the global pandemic
(COVID-19).
In terms of
geography, the market is divided into six regions, such as North America,
Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, the Middle East, and Africa. Osteoarthritis
is the most common joint disorder in the United States. The increasing prevalence
of lifestyle-induced disorders, increasing demand for non-surgical treatments
for osteoarthritis, and technological advances in the development of hyaluronic
acid-based therapies are some of the factors expected to foster the viscosupplementation
market growth. For instance, in 2019, Anika Therapeutics showcased
HYALOFAST, a biodegradable, hyaluronic acid-based scaffold for cartilage repair
at the 2019 International Cartilage Regeneration and Joint Preservation Society
(ICRS) Focus Meeting.
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