The shock wave therapy market is anticipated to expand at a high CAGR over the forecast period.
Shock wave therapy, also known as extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), is a non-invasive medical treatment that utilizes high-energy shock waves to stimulate healing and reduce pain in various musculoskeletal conditions.
The technique involves delivering acoustic waves to the targeted area, promoting increased blood flow, cell regeneration, and tissue repair. Initially developed for breaking down kidney stones, shock wave therapy has found applications in treating conditions such as plantar fasciitis, tendonitis, and chronic pain in joints. The treatment is often considered when conventional approaches, such as physical therapy or medications, have not provided sufficient relief.
While the exact mechanisms of its effectiveness are not fully understood, shock wave therapy continues to be explored and adopted as a promising alternative for managing certain orthopaedic and soft tissue disorders.
Market Drivers
The market is experiencing growth due to the increasing occurrence of accidents and sports-related injuries, a rise in patients with musculoskeletal, urological, and cardiac disorders, and individuals undergoing various surgical procedures. As an illustration, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported in 2021 that road accidents impacted approximately 40 million people globally. Additionally, the WHO highlighted a high incidence of traffic injuries in developing countries, particularly in low- and middle-income nations. The surge in road traffic injuries, leading to various musculoskeletal and cardiac issues in affected individuals, is anticipated to propel market growth.
Shockwave therapy is a versatile therapeutic modality that has found applications across a wide range of fields, including orthopedics, physiotherapy, urology, sports medicine, veterinary medicine, rehabilitation centers, and plastic surgery. Its efficacy in stimulating faster healing, revascularization, and regeneration of bones, ligaments, and tendons has been widely documented. A recent example of this therapy's effectiveness is the pre-market approval granted by the US FDA in February 2021 for Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL); a sonic pressure wave therapy used to treat severe calcified coronary artery disease. This development is a testament to the growing recognition of the potential of shockwave therapy in treating a range of medical conditions and its broader impact on patient care.
The electrohydraulic shock waves segment is expected to grow significantly.
Underwater explosions caused by high-voltage electrode spark discharge generate electrohydraulic shockwaves, which are powerful acoustic waves. These shockwaves are focused by an elliptical reflector and targeted towards areas requiring treatment to achieve therapeutic effects. The dominance of this segment is attributed to heightened awareness and increased utilization of the technology in recent years, as well as a growing preference among physicians.
The use of electrohydraulic shock wave therapy has seen a notable rise in treating lithotripsy among the elderly population. Given the health complexities associated with this demographic, conventional surgical methods are often not the preferred choice for treatment. Additionally, electrohydraulic shock wave therapy finds extensive application in orthopaedic physiotherapy for addressing concerns among the elderly. Consequently, the global increase in the elderly population emerges as a key driver propelling market growth. For instance, a report by Statistics Canada in April 2022 indicated that seniors aged 65 and above accounted for approximately one-fifth of the Canadian population last year, with their numbers increasing six times faster than those of children aged 0-14. As shockwave therapy usage among the elderly continues to climb alongside the growing aging population, these factors are anticipated to significantly fuel market expansion in the foreseeable future.
North America is anticipated to hold a significant share of the market
North America is poised to maintain its market dominance throughout the projected period, driven by factors such as the rapid rise in the aging population, advanced technological developments, and a well-established healthcare infrastructure that facilitates the adoption of shock wave therapy (SWT) for pain management. Additionally, the increasing prevalence of conditions like cardiac ischemia, kidney stones, and erectile dysfunction in the United States is anticipated to contribute significantly to market expansion in the region. According to the United States Census Bureau's data on Demographic Turning Points (updated in February 2021), the U.S. is projected to have 73.1 million people aged 65 and above by 2030, reaching approximately 94.7 million by 2060, constituting around 23% of the population. This demographic shift is expected to positively impact the SWT market. Moreover, Canada is also expected to witness a considerable rise in the elderly population, reaching around 9.5 million individuals aged 65 and above by 2030, as per the Action for Seniors report published by the government in February 2021, further contributing to market growth in the region.
Market Developments
Market Segmentation