Stryker Corp. (Kalamazoo, Mich.) — $7.0 billion in revenues. Products from Stryker's Orthopaedic Implants division include artificial joints, spinal rods and screws, bone cement, artificial vertebral discs and OP-1, a biological product to grow bone. In April, the company manufactured its 1 millionth Exeter hip stem, developed 40 years ago by an orthopedic surgeon and an engineer. In February, Stryker released its Rejuvenate Modular Primary Hip System, developed to optimize anatomic restoration. Last year, the company agreed to buy Ascent Healthcare Solutions, the largest reprocessor of single-use medical devices in the country, for $525 million. www.stryker.com
DePuy (Raynham, Mass.) — $5.4 billion. A subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, DePuy is said to have been the first orthopedic manufacturer in the world, creating a fiber splint in 1895 to replace wooden barrel staves to set fractures. The company is involved in orthopedic joint reconstruction, spinal care products and neurosurgical devices. Its products include hip replacements, internal and external fixator products, operating room equipment as well as knee, shoulder and spinal implants. In May, DePuy Spine launched the EXPEDIUM Vertebral Body Derotation Set to help correct spinal alignment and decrease rib rotation in patients with scoliosis. In 2009, the company announced it would fund 25 graduate medical education fellowships in spine care. www.depuy.com
Zimmer Holdings (Warsaw, Ind.) — $3.9 billion. Zimmer produces knee and hip replacements, spinal stabilizers, shoulder implants, tissue grafting materials, spinal implants and products for trauma and orthopedic surgery. About 8,500 Zimmer employees work in more than 25 countries. In August, the company announced the first implantation of its NCB Periprosthetic Plating System to address complex femoral fractures around hip or knee implants. In July, Zimmer announced it would acquire Beijing Montagne Medical Device Co. to gain a foothold in the Chinese orthopedic implant market. Zimmer Patient Specific Instruments, using MRI technology and pre-operative planning tools to create customized cutting guides, were released in March. www.zimmer.com
Smith & Nephew (London) — $3.7 billion. The company's orthopedics division makes hip, knee and shoulder replacements as well as fixation and bone-growth devices. Its endoscopy division makes arthroscopes, blades, digital cameras and other surgical products. Smith & Nephew operates in 32 countries. In 2008 it invested $152 million in research and development activities, focusing on novel bioresorbable polymers, tissue or cell engineering, and non-invasive stimulation. The company's new products include OXINIUM material for hip and knee implants, BIRMINGHAM HIP Resurfacing and the JOURNEY DEUCE knee. http://global.smith-nephew.com
Synthes (West Chester, Pa.) — $3.3 billion. The company employs 5,600 people worldwide. It specializes in spinal devices, including disc replacement and cranio-maxillofacial implants. Synthes works closely with the AO Foundation, a research organization specializing in osteosynthesis. In 2010, the company's trauma division launched the TFN Lag Screw and the LCP Periarticular Proximal Humerus Plate. Synthes has seen increased adoption of its Matrix facial plating line and of thoracic products such as Titanium Sternal Fixation System. www.synthes.com
DePuy (Raynham, Mass.) — $5.4 billion. A subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, DePuy is said to have been the first orthopedic manufacturer in the world, creating a fiber splint in 1895 to replace wooden barrel staves to set fractures. The company is involved in orthopedic joint reconstruction, spinal care products and neurosurgical devices. Its products include hip replacements, internal and external fixator products, operating room equipment as well as knee, shoulder and spinal implants. In May, DePuy Spine launched the EXPEDIUM Vertebral Body Derotation Set to help correct spinal alignment and decrease rib rotation in patients with scoliosis. In 2009, the company announced it would fund 25 graduate medical education fellowships in spine care. www.depuy.com
Zimmer Holdings (Warsaw, Ind.) — $3.9 billion. Zimmer produces knee and hip replacements, spinal stabilizers, shoulder implants, tissue grafting materials, spinal implants and products for trauma and orthopedic surgery. About 8,500 Zimmer employees work in more than 25 countries. In August, the company announced the first implantation of its NCB Periprosthetic Plating System to address complex femoral fractures around hip or knee implants. In July, Zimmer announced it would acquire Beijing Montagne Medical Device Co. to gain a foothold in the Chinese orthopedic implant market. Zimmer Patient Specific Instruments, using MRI technology and pre-operative planning tools to create customized cutting guides, were released in March. www.zimmer.com
Smith & Nephew (London) — $3.7 billion. The company's orthopedics division makes hip, knee and shoulder replacements as well as fixation and bone-growth devices. Its endoscopy division makes arthroscopes, blades, digital cameras and other surgical products. Smith & Nephew operates in 32 countries. In 2008 it invested $152 million in research and development activities, focusing on novel bioresorbable polymers, tissue or cell engineering, and non-invasive stimulation. The company's new products include OXINIUM material for hip and knee implants, BIRMINGHAM HIP Resurfacing and the JOURNEY DEUCE knee. http://global.smith-nephew.com
Synthes (West Chester, Pa.) — $3.3 billion. The company employs 5,600 people worldwide. It specializes in spinal devices, including disc replacement and cranio-maxillofacial implants. Synthes works closely with the AO Foundation, a research organization specializing in osteosynthesis. In 2010, the company's trauma division launched the TFN Lag Screw and the LCP Periarticular Proximal Humerus Plate. Synthes has seen increased adoption of its Matrix facial plating line and of thoracic products such as Titanium Sternal Fixation System. www.synthes.com