Last year, the United States spent $95 billion on medical devices, nearly half of the $200 billion spent on devices worldwide.1 Our investment in devices has yielded impressive gains in length and quality of life from products such as implantable cardioverter–defibrillators, pacemakers, and artificial joints (cardiovascular and orthopedic devices account for more than 35% of the market1). Roughly 10 million Americans have symptomatic knee osteoarthritis,2 a leading cause of disability and the most common indication for total knee arthroplasty. More than 600,000 total knee arthroplasty procedures are performed annually in the United States; 85% of recipients report functional improvement, and the annual failure rate is 0.5 to 1.6%.3 Inspired by these successes, medical device innovation continues. Each year for the past decade, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved more than 35 new systems or components for total knee arthroplasty. Most are designed to improve durability, and their manufacturers cite laboratory studies showing reductions in wear. Advertising campaigns promote innovative implants for younger, more physically active patients, expanding the market for knee arthroplasty.
To read the full, original article click on this link: Medical Device Innovation — Is “Better” Good Enough? — NEJM
