Hip and knee replacements are some of the most common operations and are categorized as synthetic orthopaedic implants, alongside spinal implants and bone defect repairs. IDTechEx's portfolio of Healthcare Research Reports and Subscriptions covers the latest developments across bone implant materials and global markets.
Global hip and knee replacements
Under the umbrella of hip and knee joint replacements sit more specific surgery types, such as total or partial hip or knee replacement, and hip resurfacing. IDTechEx's webinar on emerging bone implant materials, found in the larger portfolio of IDTechEx webinars, covers these areas, as well as going into detail about the different components and processes of replacement surgeries. Osteoarthritis, aging populations, obesity, and increased healthcare access are some key drivers for the increase in joint replacement surgeries worldwide, considered within IDTechEx's report "Materials for Bone Implants 2026-2036: Trends, Players, and Forecasts", which includes the latest market forecasts.
Globally, the hip and knee replacement market is dominated by four main players which account for over 70% of the market worldwide. Three of these headquarters are based in the US, which is also where over half of all revenue is currently generated from. In 2026, the market size stands at US$21billion, highlighting the large size and financial success of the market. The US also sees quick adoption of new technologies, premium pricing, and high market penetration, creating a large market advantage over many other countries.
Outside of the US, Europe and Asia have shown significant activity, with Asia seeing fast market growth despite a smaller market size as a result of a more localized supply chain and cheaper material access. IDTechEx reports that countries such as the UK and Germany are also home to mature hip and knee replacement markets, much like the US where most of the profit is made, however, busy healthcare systems and market saturation are expected to prevent significant long-term growth in these regions.
Materials for hip and knee replacement
The gold standard materials for hip and knee replacements are explored by IDTechEx, including Ti-6Al-4V (titanium 64 alloy), CoCr (copper chromium), ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), and alumina and zirconia ceramics. Ti-6Al-4V is commonly used for the hip acetabular shell, hip femoral stem, and knee tibial base plate, as it has high strength to density ratio and strong bone bonding potential, while CoCr is used mostly for the hip femoral head and knee femoral components, as it is very strong and wear resistant.
UHMWPE is a very strong polymer with wear resistance used mostly in hip acetabular shell inserts and knee tibial inserts, and alumina and zirconia ceramics, currently being developed to be less brittle, are used in hip femoral heads as they are very wear resistant and strong under pressure. For materials used at articulating surfaces, standards are particularly strict. Some of the main requirements include biocompatibility, high strength, high corrosion resistance, high wear resistance, and high fracture toughness.
IDTechEx forecasts the combined hip and knee replacement market to hit US$34billion in 2036 growing at a compound annual growth rate of 4.6%, showing sizeable expansion over the next ten years, with significant sustained growth within the US and Europe.
For more information, visit IDTechEx's portfolio of Healthcare Research Reports and Subscriptions for the latest technology developments and forecasts within the sector.
