Cartilage Degeneration Global Market Report 2024

The cartilage degeneration market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $11.88 billion in 2023 to $12.63 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.3%. The expansion observed in the historical period can be ascribed to factors such as an aging population, incidents of joint injuries, the prevalence of the obesity epidemic, sports-related injuries, and the restricted self-repair capacity of cartilage.

The cartilage degeneration market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $15.64 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.5%. The anticipated growth in the forecast period can be ascribed to advancements in regenerative medicine, the use of biologic injections, solutions in tissue engineering, the implementation of precision medicine, and the integration of robotics-assisted surgery. Key trends expected during the forecast period encompass the adoption of stem cell therapies, the application of 3D printing in orthopedics, the utilization of gene therapy for cartilage repair, the development of personalized rehabilitation programs, and the incorporation of telemedicine for follow-up care.

The anticipated growth of the cartilage degeneration market is expected to be propelled by the increasing prevalence of obesity. Obesity, a medical condition characterized by the excessive accumulation of body fat, poses a risk to an individual's health and can contribute to the initiation and acceleration of cartilage degeneration. This is primarily attributed to heightened cartilage compressive forces and the release of inflammatory cytokines. Obesity induces various pathological changes in the entire knee joint structure, including abnormal loading, joint malalignment, and muscle weakness. As reported by the Government Digital Service in May 2023, approximately 63.8% of adults aged 18 years and over in the UK were overweight or living with obesity in 2021–2022, reflecting an increase from 63.3% the previous year. Among adults, an estimated 25.9% were classified as obese, marking a 25.2% increase from 2020 to 2021. Consequently, the rising prevalence of obesity is a key driver of the cartilage degeneration market's growth.

The growing elderly population is also expected to contribute to the expansion of the cartilage degeneration market. The elderly population, comprising individuals aged 65 years or older, experiences age-related muscle and bone mass loss, leading to weakness and reduced strength. Addressing cartilage degeneration can play a vital role in preventing age-related changes in muscles, bones, and joints, strengthening bones, and delaying the pace of bone loss in this demographic group. The World Health Organization (WHO) projects a significant increase in the number of individuals aged 60 years or older, from 1 billion in 2020 to 1.4 billion by 2030 and 2.1 billion by 2050. Furthermore, the number of people aged 80 years or older is expected to triple from 143 million in 2020 to 426 million in 2050. Thus, the growing elderly population is a significant factor driving the growth of the cartilage degeneration market.

Prominent companies in the cartilage degeneration market are actively engaged in the development of innovative products, exemplified by the creation of Agili-C, designed to facilitate bone remodeling and cartilage regeneration. Agili-C stands out as a cell-free, off-the-shelf implant crafted for repairing cartilage and osteochondral defects prevalent in traumatic and osteoarthritic joints. In a notable development reported in July 2023, CartiHeal Ltd., an Israel-based medical device company, celebrated the first commercial implantation of Agili-C. The implant's distinctive approach aims to stimulate the natural process of articular cartilage and subchondral bone regeneration without relying on cells or growth factors. Crafted from natural calcium carbonate (aragonite) sourced from coral exoskeletons, the implant prompts the migration of chondrocytes from surrounding cartilage into the scaffold, facilitating the deposition of an extracellular matrix. This achievement enhances the implant's credibility by assuring patients and healthcare providers of its safety and effectiveness.

Major companies operating in the cartilage degeneration sector are prioritizing the development of cutting-edge technologies. A notable example comes from August 2021 when Zimmer Biomet, a US-based medical technology company, and Canary Medical Inc., a US-based medical data company, jointly introduced Persona IQ knee implant – the world's inaugural smart knee implant designed for total knee replacement surgery. Distinguishing itself, Persona IQ combines Zimmer Biomet's established knee implant, Persona The Personalized Knee, with Canary Medical's proprietary implantable canturioTMte tibial extension sensor technology. This technology measures and assesses various gait metrics, including range of motion, step count, and walking speed. Persona IQ captures this data and wirelessly communicates it to a patient's personal base station at home, enabling healthcare providers to monitor post-operative recovery status through a cloud-based platform.

In July 2022, Bioventus Inc., a US-based company specializing in active healing and surgical Ortho biologics, successfully acquired CartiHeal for $315 million. This strategic acquisition positions Bioventus to augment its joint preservation technologies, supporting short- and mid-term growth objectives and aligning with its ongoing pursuit of sustained double-digit revenue growth. CartiHeal Ltd., the acquired entity, is an Israel-based medical device company at the forefront of developing and commercializing proprietary implants to address cartilage and osteochondral defects in traumatic and osteoarthritic joints.

Major companies operating in the cartilage degeneration market report are Johnson & Johnson Services Inc., MEDIPOST Co. Ltd., Medtronic plc, Stryker Corporation, Zimmer Biomet Holdings Inc., Smith and Nephew plc, B Braun Melsungen AG, Osiris Therapeutics Inc., Arthrex Inc., Conmed Corporation, Orthocell Ltd., Bioventus LLC, Aesculap Inc., Vericel Corporation, Anika Therapeutics Inc., Geistlich Pharma AG, MatTek Corporation, Breg Inc., Isto Biologics Inc., OrthoTrophix LLC, CellGenix GmbH, CartiHeal Inc., Cayenne Medical Inc., Collagen Solutions plc, Regentis Biomaterials Ltd., Histogen Inc., BioTime Inc., CollPlant Holdings Ltd.,,


North America was the largest region in the cartilage degeneration market in 2023. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the cartilage degeneration market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the cartilage degeneration market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Spain, Canada.

The primary procedures for addressing cartilage degeneration include joint replacements, chondroplasty, osteochondral transplants, microfracture, meniscus transplants, cell-based cartilage resurfacing, autologous chondrocyte implantation, and other related interventions. Joint replacements involve a surgical process where a damaged or diseased joint is substituted with an artificial joint, commonly referred to as a prosthesis. These procedures are applicable to various joints such as the knee, hip, and others. They are performed in diverse healthcare settings, including hospitals, specialty clinics, ambulatory surgical centers, and academic and research institutes.

The cartilage degeneration market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides cartilage degeneration market statistics, including cartilage degeneration industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a cartilage degeneration market share, detailed cartilage degeneration market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the cartilage degeneration industry. This cartilage degeneration market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.


The cartilage degeneration market consists of revenues earned by entities by provide services such as diagnosis and evaluation, non-surgical management, patient education, physical therapy, and nutritional and lifestyle guidance services. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The cartilage degeneration market also includes sales of over-the-counter medications, joint supplements, topical pain relievers, and hyaluronic acid injections. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).


The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.