JOINT PAIN INJECTIONS MARKET SIZE AND SHARE ANALYSIS - GROWTH TRENDS AND FORECASTS (2024-2031)

Market Size and Trends

The global joint pain injections market is estimated to be valued at USD 5.29 Bn in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 9.46 Bn by 2031, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.7% from 2024 to 2031.

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The global joint pain injections market is driven by the growing geriatric population globally who are more prone to joint disorders. Rising awareness about non-invasive treatments is also augmenting the demand for joint injections. Furthermore, innovations in injection materials like hyaluronic acid and platelet rich plasma are expanding the treatment landscape and clinician confidence in non-surgical options. However, risks of injection such as infections and allergic reactions pose challenges to market growth.

Rise in the Obesity Rates

The increasing prevalence of obesity has become a major public health issue globally and is seen as one of the key factors contributing to the rising knee osteoarthritis disease rates. Obese and overweight populations are at a much higher risk of developing osteoarthritis of the knee as excess weight places undue pressure and stress on the knee joints over a prolonged period. For instance, as per data from World Health Organization, published on March 1, 2024, in 2022, there were 2.5 billion adults aged 18 and above who were classified as overweight, with over 890 million of them living with obesity. This accounts for 43% of adults in this age group, with the prevalence of overweight having increased since 1990, when it stood at 25%. The proportion of overweight adults varied across regions, ranging from 31% in the WHO South-East Asia region and the African region to 67% in the region of the Americas. Globally, approximately 16% of adults aged 18 and older were categorized as obese in 2022, marking a significant increase from 1990.

Market Concentration and Competitive Landscape

Increasing Product Approvals by Regulatory Authorities

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Increasing product approvals by regulatory authorities is expected to drive the market growth over the forecast period. For instance, in March 2021, Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., a pharmaceutical company, and SEIKAGAKU CORPORATION, a biopharmaceutical company, announced that the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) approved JOYCLU 30mg Intra-articular Injection in Japan indicated for the treatment of osteoarthritis (knee joint and hip joint).

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The risk of side effects of joint pain injections is significantly restraining the growth of the global joint pain injections market. Joint pain injections involve administering corticosteroids and other drugs directly into the joints to reduce inflammation and pain. While these injections provide effective short-term relief, they are associated with several potential side effects. Common side effects include increased pain, swelling or bruising at the injection site. In some rare cases, injections can also cause tendon or ligament damage if the drug leaks into surrounding tissues. This is a major concern for patients and doctors alike.

Market Opportunities – Increasing Adoption of Inorganic Growth Strategies

Increasing adoption of inorganic growth strategies such as agreements among key market players is expected to offer lucrative market growth opportunities. For instance, in December 2023, Bioventus Inc., a healthcare company, announced a contract with Aetna Inc., a health insurance company, for Aetna Medicare Advantage plan. Under the terms of agreement, Aetna Medicare Advantage plan members will have access to Durolane to treat knee osteoarthritis (OA) pain. Durolane is a single-injection hyaluronic acid (HA)-based joint-fluid treatment for patients. 

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The injection type segment includes corticosteroid injection, hyaluronic acid injection, platelet rich plasma injection, and others. The corticosteroid injection sub-segment is estimated to hold 51.6% of the market share in 2024 due to their proven effectiveness in reducing inflammation and pain associated with joint disorders. Corticosteroids such as triamcinolone acetonide work by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins - hormone-like substances that amplify pain signals. By lowering prostaglandin levels, corticosteroids provide swift and significant relief from both stiffness and tenderness in joints affected by conditions like osteoarthritis. Their fast onset of action within a few days of administration, coupled with long lasting effects for 6-8 weeks per injection make corticosteroids highly preferable over other options. Moreover, corticosteroid injections are generally safe when used as recommended by the physician. Together, these advantages of corticosteroids have cemented their position as the most reliable injectable therapy for managing joint pain globally.

Insights, By Joint Type: Dominance of knee and ankle joint injections

The joint type segment includes knee and ankle, hip joint, hand and wrist, and other. The knee and ankle sub-segment is estimated to hold 33.1% of the market share in 2024 owing to the higher susceptibility of these joints to damage from mechanical stress and traumatic injuries. Common knee disorders like osteoarthritis, meniscal tears, and bursitis are leading causes of debilitating pain worldwide. At the same time, ankle sprains and related conditions that compromise ankle joint stability are a widespread concern. Regular overuse of these weight bearing joints through activities of daily living, exercise and sports places them at an elevated risk of degeneration. Therefore, corticosteroid injections are extensively used as the first line of treatment in painful knee and ankle joints to alleviate symptoms and improve mobility. Easy accessibility of these joints also encourages patients to opt for minimally invasive injection therapies over oral medications or surgeries.

Insights, By Distribution Channel: Direct Access to Patients

The distribution channel segment includes hospital pharmacies, retail pharmacies, and online pharmacies. The hospital pharmacies sub-segment is estimated to hold 43.7% of the market share in 2024. Hospital pharmacies serve as an integral distribution channel for knee osteoarthritis drugs, providing direct access to patients undergoing treatment within healthcare facilities. These pharmacies offer several advantages for distributing such medications. Hospital pharmacies are conveniently located within medical centers, ensuring easy access for patients receiving care for knee osteoarthritis. This proximity enhances patient convenience and compliance with prescribed treatment regimens.

Regional Insights

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North America remains the dominant region in the global joint pain injections market and is estimated to hold 34.9% of the market share in 2024 due to early adoption of advanced technologies and growing prevalence of arthritis. As per the estimates by Arthritis Foundation, by the year 2040, it is estimated that the number of adults in the U.S. diagnosed with arthritis by a doctor will rise by 49%, reaching a total of 78.4 million individuals, which would represent 25.9% of all adults. Additionally, the number of adults facing limitations in daily activities attributable to arthritis is projected to increase by 52%, reaching 34.6 million individuals, or 11.4% of all adults.

The Asia Pacific region is emerging as the fastest growing market for joint pain injections. China and India as the most populated countries are witnessing tremendous increase in geriatric population susceptible to osteoarthritis and other forms of arthritis. This has ramped up the requirement for pain relief measures. Additionally, improving access to healthcare coupled with growing medical tourism industry are attracting patients from other regions to the Asia Pacific. Rising disposable income allows individuals to spend on expensive treatments, fueling the joint injections sales.

Market Report Scope

Key Developments

• On January 17, 2024, Enlivex Therapeutics Ltd., a biotechnology company, announced that the Israeli Ministry of Health (IMOH) had authorized the initiation of a company-sponsored multi-country, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled Phase I/II trial to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of Allocetra following injections into the target knee joint of up to 160 moderately to severely symptomatic osteoarthritis patients
• In October 2021, SEIKAGAKU CORPORATION, a biopharmaceutical company, announced the launch of HyLink, an intra-articular single-injection viscosupplement for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis in Taiwan, through TCM Biotech International Corp, a biotechnology company.
• In May 2021, Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., a pharmaceutical company, and SEIKAGAKU CORPORATION, a biopharmaceutical company, announced that they had launched JOYCLU 30mg Intra-articular Injection (generic name: diclofenac etalhyaluronate sodium; “JOYCLU”), a joint function improvement agent, for which SEIKAGAKU CORPORATION received the manufacturing and marketing approval in Japan in March 2021
• In June 2020, Bioventus Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, announced that it had signed a distribution agreement with Bazis NN, a Russia-based medical device and equipment distributor, as its authorized distributor for DUROLANE, its single-injection joint-fluid osteoarthritis (OA) treatment, for the marketing and sale of orthopedic solutions in Russia 
• In January 2020, TRB Chemedica International SA, a pharmaceutical company, announced the results of a French multicenter, randomized, double-blind, controlled, non-inferiority study involving 292 patients with knee osteoarthritis, whose aim was to compare a single injection of Ostenil Plus (non-chemically modified 2% sodium hyaluronate) with a single injection of 0.8% hylan G‑F 20 (Synvisc‑One)

*Definition: The joint pain injections are used for intra-articular or periarticular injections to treat pain caused by damaged or inflamed joints, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, or other forms of arthropathy. Common injection treatments in this market include corticosteroids, viscosupplementation products made from hyaluronic acid or platelet-rich plasma injections to relieve pain and maximize joint mobility for patients suffering from joint disorders.

Market Segmentation

• Injection Type Insights (Revenue, USD Bn, 2019 - 2031)
  • Corticosteroid Injection
  • Hyaluronic Acid Injection
  • Platelet Rich Plasma Injection
  • Others
•  Joint Type Insights (Revenue, USD Bn, 2019 - 2031)
  • Knee and Ankle
  • Hip Joint
  • Hand and Wrist
  • Other
•  Distribution Channel Insights (Revenue, USD Bn, 2019 - 2031)
  • Hospital Pharmacies
  • Retail Pharmacies
  • Online Pharmacies
• Regional Insights (Revenue, USD Bn, 2019 - 2031)
  • North America
    • U.S.
    • Canada
  • Latin America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Mexico
    • Rest of Latin America
  • Europe
    • Germany
    • U.K.
    • Spain
    • France
    • Italy
    • Russia
    • Rest of Europe
  • Asia Pacific
    • China
    • India
    • Japan
    • Australia
    • South Korea
    • ASEAN
    • Rest of Asia Pacific
  • Middle East
    • GCC Countries
    • Israel
    • Rest of Middle East
  • Africa
    • South Africa
    • North Africa
    • Central Africa
• Key Players Insights
  • Pfizer, Inc.
  • Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc.
  • PACIRA BIOSCIENCES
  • Eli Lilly and Company
  • Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.
  • AbbVie Inc.
  • Sanofi
  • Anika Therapeutics, Inc.
  • Bioventus
  • Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd.
  • Zimmer Biomet
  • Ferring B.V.
  • SEIKAGAKU CORPORATION 
  • Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.