Orthopaedics: develop treatments and technologies in the UK
Published 15 October 2018
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The UK continues to make a major contribution to orthopaedic excellence and improving the quality of life of people across the world.
Innovation in orthopaedics in the UK
The UK has a long tradition of innovation in orthopaedics.
In the UK:
- the first hip implant took place
- John Tracey pioneered the first stainless steel and acrylic-knee prosthesis
- John Chamley first applied biomechanical principles to reduce hip-frictional resistance
Now the UK excels in:
- cutting-edge resurfacing technologies
- biologic repair, including soft tissue
- navigation and 3D imaging/printing
- laparoscopic delivery of biological and cellular therapies
There are world class opportunities for partnership in development of new orthopaedics products and services.
Orthopaedics product development in the UK
Orthopaedics is one of the UK’s largest medical-technology growth sectors.
In the UK:
- 153 companies manufacture musculoskeletal products
- a larger supply-chain infrastructure services a global market valued at $39 billion
New high-tech start-up companies, supported by university and clinical-research centres, are driving developments in:
- joint resurfacing and coatings
- 3D imaging
- 3D printing of bespoke orthopaedic replacements
- biologic repair
- using stem cells derived from bone marrow
- bone regeneration
Around 2,600 registered orthopaedic and spinal surgeons perform over a quarter of a million joint procedures in the UK each year.
Supply chain excellence in orthopaedics in the UK
A heritage of world-class engineering and internationally renowned medical research supports a major orthopaedic supply chain infrastructure.
This covers the supply of:
- raw materials
- forging and castings (largest titanium casting facility in Europe)
- composites
- bone substitutes
- contract design and manufacture
- instrumentation
- packaging and sterilisation
- specialist research
- biological-tissue services
In one UK city, 2 companies produce over 1 million forgings and castings of orthopaedic implants per year.
A UK supplier of implantable bio-material polymers has their material deployed in 9 million patients worldwide.
Specialist research centres in the UK
The UK has the largest orthopaedic wear simulation facility in Europe.
It also has world-class research centres based in universities in important disciplines such as:
- surface engineering
- tissue regeneration
- 3D imaging
- wear testing
Major national research centres in innovative manufacturing offer orthopaedic companies access to state-of-the-art equipment, expertise and collaborative opportunities for companies.
These include:
- the MeDe Innovation Centre, which focuses on the efficient design and manufacture of class lll musculoskeletal products
- a high-value advanced manufacturing network composed of 7 national technology and innovation centres covering biologics, casting, composites, digital manufacture and 3D modelling and printing
Clinical-research infrastructure in the UK
The UK has the most integrated clinical-research infrastructure in the world with specialist clinical-research networks coordinating the fast tracking and delivery of clinical trials.
Seven biomedical research centres support translation of research into commercial products in areas such as:
- osteoarthritis
- rheumatoid arthritis
- trauma
- biomaterials
- medical-device technology
There are currently 175 active musculoskeletal/orthopaedic clinical trials in the NHS.
Contact Life Sciences Organisation (LSO)
LSO is made up of a mixed team of civil servants and private sector specialists based in the UK’s Department for International Trade (DIT).
It provides support for:
- UK life sciences companies doing business overseas
- foreign life sciences companies wanting to invest in the UK
Contact LSO for more information on commercial opportunities in the UK’s life sciences sector.
You can find out more about investing in the UK at great.gov.uk.