Sports medicine is the fastest growing specialty in orthopedics, attracting more than 25% of orthopedic residents seeking fellowships for the 2010 training year. Since many sports injuries occur in the young athlete, the way an injury is treated early on may be the determining factor in preventing progressive joint changes and the early onset of degenerative diseases such as osteoarthritis. The promise of new biomaterials and biologics for repairing or replacing supporting soft tissue structures will have a big impact on the orthopedics market for some time to come.

With the era of regenerative medicine upon us, fueled in part by the Obama administration's lifting of the ban on government funding for stem cell research, advancements in biological approaches to orthopedic joint restoration are in the forefront. Most orthopedic surgeons believe that the future treatment of musculoskeletal problems no longer lies in replacing joints with metallic implants but in the development of curative therapies involving cells, growth factors, and other bioactive agents capable of regenerating bone, cartilage, and other joint structures. Although such products are still in the early stages of development, there has been a recent surge of interest in this area. Based on the wealth of new technologies presented at this year's American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons meeting held recently in Las Vegas, it is clear that stakeholders in this industry are in hot pursuit of this opportunity, which could one day be measured in the billions of dollars.