Orthopedic Braces & Supports Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Type (lower extremity (knee, foot, ankle, back) & upper extremity (shoulder, elbow, wrist)) by application, (ligament injury, preventive care & osteoarthritis), and Regional Forecast to 2035

ORTHOPEDIC BRACES & SUPPORTS MARKET OVERVIEW

The global orthopedic braces & supports market size was USD 4.45 billion in 2025 and is projected to touch USD 6.24 billion by 2035, exhibiting a CAGR of 3.5% during the forecast period. 

Orthopedic Braces and Supports market is targeted at the products aimed at stabilizing, protecting, and supporting the parts of the body joints and muscles that are injured, have chronic conditions, and are in a post-surgery period. Such devices as knee braces, ankle supports, spinal orthoses, and wrist braces to assist the reduction of pain, increase mobility, and avoid additional damage. The increase in sports injuries, road accidents, and age related musculoskeletal disorders in the world leads to market growth. The adoption is also increased by raising awareness of non-invasive treatment options and a need in preventive care. The use of lightweight materials, emergence of 3D-printed custom supports, and better ergonomic designs are the technological solutions that can improve patient comfort and therapeutic outcomes. The global market is buoyed by the increasing healthcare infrastructure, increased rehabilitation demands, and increased access by hospitals, clinics, and online.

LOBAL CRISES IMPACTING ORTHOPEDIC BRACES & SUPPORTS MARKET

COVID-19 IMPACT

Pandemic hindered the market growth due to high number of delayed surgeries and the rising home-based rehabilitation services

The covid 19 impact the orthopedic braces and supports market growth. Elective surgeries, orthopedic consultations, and sports were severely affected by lockdowns and restrictions in the early stages of the pandemic, which caused a significant decrease in demand because of the reduction in these activities. Patients needing non-urgent orthopedic treatments and rehabilitation were postponed in favour of the COVID-19 patients in the hospitals. However, when mobility suffered was decreased, the market started recovering because of the high number of delayed surgeries and the rising home-based rehabilitation services. The pandemic increased the pace of the online channel of sales as well: patients prefer remote shopping and telehealth-directed treatment. There was also increased demand on long-term demand due to increased awareness on individual health and preventive health. In general, in spite of the short-term disruptions of the COVID-19, the market proved to be resilient and underwent consistent recovery following the pandemic.

LATEST TRENDS

High-quality materials and intelligent technologies to be prominent trends

The current tendencies in the orthopedic braces & supports market are oriented on the high-quality materials, intelligent technologies, and individual design. Manufacturers are also moving towards lightweight, breathable and antimicrobial fabrics in order to improve the comfort and prolonged use of patients. The trend is moving towards custom-fitted braces, which are manufactured with the help of the 3D scanning technique and 3D printing, which offers more accuracy and effectively delivers therapeutic results. Sensors on the smart braces that track the movement, the progress of rehabilitation, and correct the posture are growing increasingly popular. A looming trend is also a move towards preventive orthopedic care particularly among athletes and the aging groups that are looking to prevent injuries. Moreover, the emergence of telehealth and online sales platforms is increasing the demand on the easy-to-fit and direct-to-consumer orthopedic support products to enhance their wider accessibility and convenience.

ORTHOPEDIC BRACES & SUPPORTS MARKET SEGMENTATION

BY TYPE

Based on type, the global market can be categorized into lower extremity (knee, foot, ankle, back) & upper extremity (shoulder, elbow, wrist).

Lower Extremity (Knee, foot, ankle, back): Lower extremity braces help in the support of mobility and stability of the joints and recovery after injury, arthritis and surgery. Sports injuries and aging populations as well as increased musculoskeletal disorders demand have a high demand.

Upper Extremity (Shoulder, Elbow, Wrist): Braces of upper limbs are used to deal with sprains, fractures, repetitive strain trauma, and post-surgical healing. Their popularity is on the increase based on their rising sporting activities, occupational trauma, and favourable orthopedic interventions, which are non-invasive.

BY APPLICATION

Based on application, the global market can be categorized into ligament injury, preventive care & osteoarthritis.

Ligament Injury: The ligament injury braces stabilize, alleviate pain, and minimize injury. There is high demand because of the large involvement in sports and the increase in ACL, MCL, and ankle ligament tears.

Preventive Care: Preventive braces will prevent sports, physical activity, and hard work-related injuries. Their popularity is increasing because of the active people and athletes who are more conscious of joint protection and the survival of the musculoskeletal system.

Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis orthopedic braces result in the alleviation of pain, the elimination of pressure on the affected joints, and an increase in mobility. The incidence of adoption increases as the elderly population tries to find non-surgical methods of dealing with chronic joint degeneration that are cost effective.

MARKET DYNAMICS

Market dynamics include driving and restraining factors, opportunities and challenges stating the market conditions.        

DRIVING FACTORS

Musculoskeletal disorders to increase the market growth

An increasing number of musculoskeletal disorders are also the primary factor that contributes to the increased demand of orthopedic braces and supports. Diseases such as arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ligament tears, tendonitis, and chronic aches of the joints are getting worse because of aging, sedentary living, and increased involvement in activities that have high impacts on the body. Such conditions usually restrict mobility and lead to chronic pain, so non-invasive methods of treatment are more appealing. Orthopedic braces are used to relieve pain, stabilize weakened joints, and enhance functional movement without having to undergo surgery. They also are vital in the recovery after an injury or chronic degenerative diseases. With the increasing awareness of early intervention and preventive care, patients and medical professionals alike have turned to braces as the preferred method of managing the symptoms, postponing surgery and helping patients to remain mobile in their daily life, building consistent demand in the market.

Healthcare infrastructure to increase the market growth

Healthcare infrastructure is also on the increase, and this has a great impact in Orthopedic Braces and Supports market, particularly, in the emerging areas. With the countries investing in the modernization of hospitals, clinics, and rehabilitation facilities, the availability of orthopedic services increases. The enhancement of diagnostic services and presence of competent orthopedic specialists make the patients more cautious about non-invasive interventions such as supports and braces. The musculoskeletal awareness and early treatment through the related government healthcare programs, insurance coverage, and public health campaigns also promote the diagnosis and treatment of the condition earlier in its development. Having better-equipped medical facilities, patients get the opportunity to be advised on the orthopedic braces in time, during the process of injury recovery, post-operative treatment, or chronic illness treatment. Besides, the expansion of the network of private healthcare and medical devices distribution guarantees the higher availability of braces, their lower price, and high prevalence in the cities and rural regions.

RESTRAINING FACTOR

Poor compliance and discomfort to limit the market growth

Poor compliance and discomfort are also still relevant problems in the Orthopedic Braces and Supports market. Some braces are too big, heavy or confining to their users thus posing a barrier to normal activities such as walking, working or sleeping. Non-breathable materials can cause some sweat, skin irritation, or rashes, and it is not pleasant to use it quite a long time. Unfitted or undated braces may result in pressure points, restrict movement when it is not essential, or even lead to pain, and this will not encourage regular wearing. Consequently, patients will either pull out the device too soon or not use it altogether, which will minimise its therapeutic advantages. Poor adherence directly affects the results of recovery, delays rehabilitation or deteriorates underlying conditions. In addition, failure by medical workers to give effective advice on how to use the medications leads to misuse and discomfort. All these problems precondition the restriction of the overall effectiveness of orthopedic braces, as well as slow the entry into a broader market.

OPPORTUNITY

Development of smart wearable technology and interest in preventive orthopedic care to opportunity in the market

The orthopedic braces & supports market has good prospects in the future, which is propelled by the development of smart wearable technology, personalized medicine and the increasing interest in preventive orthopedic care. The rehabilitation results will be increased due to the addition of sensors and AI into braces that allow real-time monitoring. The development of 3D printing will enable extremely customized braces, lightweight, and more comfortable braces. The demand will also increase with the growing geriatric population and the growing number of people involved in sports. The emerging markets are the ones that have great potential to grow since they have better healthcare infrastructure and availability of orthopedic products. Moreover, telehealth technology and e-commerce will emerge, providing additional avenues of conveniently picking braces at home and using them.

CHALLENGE

Increase production costs and issue with the new markets could be a potential challenge

The challenges in the orthopedic braces & supports market in the future include the growing price pressure due to the development of advanced technologies that increase production costs, and, therefore, affordability becomes an issue with the new markets. Fit and compliance will continue to be a challenge, particularly in home-based users that do not have professional assistance. Adoption may also be slowed down due to competition with other treatment such as physiotherapy, minimally invasive surgeries and pain-relief devices. The regulatory approvals on smart braces using sensors may be more complicated and time-consuming. In addition, fake and low quality products within online markets can destroy consumer confidence. The privacy of data of the connected braces and insufficient reimbursement in certain areas will also not contribute to the long-term growth of the market.

ORTHOPEDIC BRACES & SUPPORTS REGIONAL INSIGHTS

• NORTH AMERICA

The North America dominates the orthopedic braces & supports market share due to developed healthcare sector, strong use of new orthopedic products and increasing rate of sport injuries, osteon arthritis and musculoskeletal disorders. The U.S. orthopedic braces & supports market is in the lead in the region because of high insurance rates, usage of orthopedic equipment in the rehabilitation process after surgery, and fast aging of the population in need of mobility support systems. On top of this, the availability of large manufacturers, an endless supply of products and great distributive systems enhance market penetration. Growing the interest in recreational and professional sporting activities is another driver of the need in knee, ankle and wrist braces. The increasing recognition of preventive care and access to support devices that are customized and lightweight further entrench the U.S. stance, which means that North America is an important location of orthopedic braces and support.

• EUROPE

The market of Europe orthopedic braces & supports is motivated by the established healthcare system, high-level adherence to progressive orthotic solutions by clinics and increased age of the population, which is vulnerable to degeneration of joints and mobility disorders. Such countries as Germany, France, U.K., Italy, and others dominate the main demand in the market as they are highly aware of the non-invasive orthopedic procedures and they commonly use braces to support rehabilitative postoperative processes. The growing amount of musculoskeletal conditions, sport-related trauma, and occupational injury cases in the region contribute to the growth of product use. Lightweight, breathable and custom fitted braces are innovations that facilitate patient comfort and compliance that have contributed to increasing overall usage. In addition, positive reimbursement arrangements and existence of large medical devices manufactures enhance market penetration. Increased interest in home-based rehabilitation also helps in ensuring a long-term demand within Europe.

• ASIA

There is a fast growing market in Asia Pacific orthopedic braces & supports that is attributed to high investments in healthcare systems, aging of the population, and the increased cases of orthopedic related conditions such as osteoarthritis and sports related injuries. The demand is being created by countries such as China, India and Japan as more people become aware of preventive care and solutions to rehabilitation. Market growth is also being further propelled by the fact that the healthcare equipment of the region is improving and more individuals are using advanced braces, which include functional knee braces, spinal orthoses and ankle support. Product uptake is also fuelled by a rise in road accidents and injuries at the workplace. As well, increasing engagement in sports activities with associated musculoskeletal problems associated with lifestyle increase the demand of orthopedic aids and corrective equipment. The favourable reimbursement policies in the developed APAC markets and the growth of global brands build up on the overall market development.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Key Players promote innovation, increase product access, and improve options of treatment all over the globe

BSN medical, 3M Company, Otto Bock Healthcare, Medi GmbH and Co.KG and Alcare Co.Ltd. are the name of key players in the Orthopedic Braces and Supports market whose contribution towards the development of non-invasive orthopedic care is vital. BSN medical is associated with high quality compression therapy and fracture management products. 3M Company deals with high quality braces with a high degree of global variety. Otto Bock Healthcare is the company that is engaged in technologically advanced orthopedic and prosthetic solutions, and it is concerned with increasing their mobility. Medi GmbH & Co. KG is a company that offers high quality braces with a high degree of comfort and therapeutic efficiency. Alcare Co., Ltd. is known to have innovative patient friendly orthopedic devices in the Asian market. Combined, these companies promote innovation, increase product access, and improve options of treatment all over the globe.

LIST OF TOP ORTHOPEDIC BRACES & SUPPORTS COMPANIES

• musculoskeletal disorders (Germany)
• BSN Medical (Germany)
• 3M Company (U.S.)
• Otto Bock Healthcare (Germany)
• Alcare Co., Ltd (Japan)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT

March 2023: HealthMe has joined forces with Breg, Inc. to introduce an orthopedic-specific direct-pay ecommerce solution. The new system enables clinics to smoothly receive payments of the patients who used Breg cold therapy devices enhancing efficiency and transparency. Using HealthMe, which is known as one of the industry leaders in orthopedic direct-pay solutions, Breg will increase patient comfort, stream provider operations, and foster the increased interest in simplified and consumer-friendly medical purchasing solutions.

REPORT COVERAGE

The report presents the historical analysis of the Orthopedic Braces and Supports market in the world, 2018-2022, and estimates the forecast to 2023-2029, which offers a reader the detailed picture of the global Orthopedic Braces and Supports market in various aspects. The report identifies the growth drivers, challenges, technology, and emerging consumer needs by reviewing the past market performance, on the basis of trends and demand patterns. The forecast section provides comprehensive information about the future market growth prospects, new opportunities and trends in product development, introduction of new products in healthcare and geographical development. The report provides readers with useful information to facilitate strategic planning, investment decisions and market positioning through the competitive analysis, segment analysis, and region analysis. In general, it is a powerful instrument that can be used by stakeholders who are involved in the orthopedic braces and supports industry to make decisions, predict market dynamics, and exploit business opportunities in the market.