China is a major emerging market for orthopedic instrumentation with 40 million arthritis patients nationwide, according to Wang Yan, president of the Congress of the Chinese Orthopaedic Association (COA). He said that the number of joints being replaced in China each year is expected to increase at an average annual rate of 25%.
According to Wang, advanced orthopedic instruments in China are mainly imported, a practice which is relatively expensive and means some patients are unable to afford surgery. “We will learn about advanced medical technology from foreign counterparts to promote self research and development as well as strengthen training for doctors, in order to meet the needs of more patients, ” he said.
David Dvorak, chairman of the U.S. Advanced Medical Technology Association, said at the conference that China faces great demand in the treatment of muscle and bone diseases and the number is set to rise significantly with an aging population.
According to statistics provided by the International Osteoporosis Foundation, China has 69.4 million osteoporosis patients above the age of 50, who experience 687, 000 fractures each year.
