China Artificial Joint Annual Data Report
Artificial joint replacement has emerged as the most effective treatment for end-stage arthropathy of the hip and knee joints, addressing conditions caused by various factors. This procedure has gained widespread popularity globally. In the United States, for instance, the number of total hip replacement cases reached 1.1 million in 2017, while total knee replacement cases amounted to 1.3 million in 2018. These figures continue to rise annually, reflecting the growing demand for such interventions.
China, with its vast population, also sees a significant volume of joint replacement procedures. However, until recently, there has been a notable lack of comprehensive annual data reports on artificial joint replacements in the country. This study aims to fill this gap by collecting and analyzing data on artificial joint replacements in mainland China over the past decade, thereby providing a preliminary annual report on the subject.
Given the absence of a national joint replacement registration system in China, the researchers employed a questionnaire-based approach to gather data. Questionnaires were sent to manufacturers and companies supplying artificial joint implants to the Chinese market. The data collected spanned from January 2011 to December 2019, encompassing cases of total hip arthroplasty (THA), total knee arthroplasty (TKA), and unicondylar knee arthroplasty (UKA). The study also differentiated between domestic and imported products used in these procedures.
The manufacturers and companies included in this study represent 90% to 95% of all entities approved by the National Medical Products Administration to provide artificial joints in China. Data from January 2011 to December 2019 were collected, with the exception of 2015, for which data was unavailable due to systemic issues.
The findings reveal a significant increase in the number of artificial joint replacement procedures in China over the study period. The number of THA cases rose from 168,040 in 2011 to 577,153 in 2019, marking a 2.4-fold increase. Similarly, TKA cases increased from 53,880 in 2011 to 374,833 in 2019, reflecting a 5.9-fold increase. UKA cases, though fewer in number, also saw a notable rise from 9,200 in 2017 to 19,000 in 2019, a 1.06-fold increase. While THA procedures were more common than TKA procedures in China, the latter exhibited a higher annual growth rate in recent years. UKA accounted for 4.3% to 4.8% of all knee arthroplasty procedures, with a significant increase observed in recent years.
The study also highlighted a shift in the preference for domestic versus imported products. In 2011, domestic products constituted 49% of the market, but by 2019, this figure had risen to 133%. This increase was more pronounced in THA procedures compared to TKA procedures.
The findings underscore a growing trend in artificial joint replacement cases in China, with nearly 0.9 million procedures performed in 2019. The increasing use of domestic products over imported ones is a notable development. Interestingly, the prevalence of THA cases over TKA cases in China contrasts with the statistics observed in the United States.
The establishment of a national artificial joint registration system in China would provide comprehensive data not only on the number of procedures performed annually but also on clinical outcomes, complications, and causes of failure. While this study is limited by its reliance on data from manufacturers rather than a formal registry, it represents a significant step towards understanding the landscape of artificial joint replacements in China. Future efforts to establish a joint registration system in the country are imperative.
The data presented in this study is visualized in Figure 1A, which shows the annual statistics of artificial joint replacements from 2011 to 2019 in mainland China. Figure 1B illustrates the annual cases of THA and TKA from domestic and imported products during the same period.
In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the trends and patterns of artificial joint replacements in China. The increasing number of procedures and the growing preference for domestic products highlight the evolving landscape of orthopedic care in the country. The establishment of a national joint registration system will be crucial for further advancements in this field.
doi.org/10.1097/CM9.0000000000001196
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