The sports medicine market comprises a number of product segments, many of which span several different orthopedics specialties.This space is expected to experience strong growth going forward as companies develop innovative ways, including some lower-cost approaches, to treat the joint and soft-tissue injuries commonly suffered by athletes and other sports enthusiasts.

Sports medicine is one segment of the device industry that may fare well in the post-health care reform world. New treatments aimed at preserving joint structures may protect young athletes from more invasive procedures down the road.

Private investors in orthopedic companies still are backing traditional and large joint companies, but soft tissue and biomaterials are drawing a solid total of early-stage capital.

Technologies for total joint repair, the backbone of the orthopedics industry, have occupied most of the development resources of orthopedic companies, but there are gaps in the continuum of care when it comes to tendon and ligament repair. ACL reconstruction and rotator cuff repair thus are attractive niches for start-ups, worth anywhere from $500 million to $1 billion. Soft tissue repair expertise is outside the core skill-sets of big ortho, but those companies have been willing to partner and acquire smaller innovative players. Today, the opportunity is even more attractive; sports medicine--the realm of soft tissue repair--enjoys an economic resiliency not seen in total joint replacement. Ligament tears more closely resemble trauma applications, which must be treated as soon as possible.