China Artificial Joint Replacement Trends: 2011–2019 Data Report

0
0
0

China Artificial Joint Replacement Trends: 2011–2019 Data Report

Artificial joint replacement is a life-changing solution for millions living with end-stage hip or knee arthritis—but until recently, data on how many procedures happen in China (the world’s most populous country) was hard to find. A 2021 study from Peking Union Medical College Hospital fills that gap, offering the first comprehensive look at trends from 2011 to 2019.

Led by Bin Feng, Wei Zhu, and colleagues from the Department of Orthopaedics at Peking Union Medical College Hospital (Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College), the research analyzes implant data from manufacturers covering 90–95% of China’s National Medical Products Administration-approved artificial joint market. Since China doesn’t yet have a national joint replacement registry, the team used manufacturer surveys to track annual totals for three common procedures: total hip arthroplasty (THA), total knee arthroplasty (TKA), and unicondylar knee arthroplasty (UKA).

Key Findings from 2011–2019

The data reveals a dramatic rise in joint replacements—nearly 900,000 total in 2019 alone—and shifting preferences for implants:

  • THA Growth: Hip replacements jumped from 168,040 in 2011 to 577,153 in 2019, a 2.4-fold increase.
  • TKA Surge: Knee replacements grew even faster—from 53,880 to 374,833, a 5.9-fold increase—though THA still outnumbers TKA in China.
  • UKA Rise: Unicondylar knee replacements (which target only one part of the knee) started being tracked in 2017 (9,200 cases) and reached 19,000 by 2019, making up 4.3–4.8% of all knee procedures.
  • Domestic Implants Take Lead: In 2011, domestic implants made up 49% of total use compared to imported ones. By 2019, that ratio flipped to 133%—meaning more domestic implants were used than imported. THA saw a bigger shift to domestic products than TKA.

How China Compares to the U.S.

Notably, China’s trend of more THA than TKA contrasts with the U.S., where knee replacements outnumber hip replacements (per the American Joint Replacement Registry’s 2019 report). The U.S. recorded 1.1 million hip replacements in 2017 and 1.3 million knee replacements in 2018—reverse of China’s 2019 numbers (577,153 THA vs. 374,833 TKA).

Why a National Registry Matters

The study highlights a critical gap: China lacks a national joint replacement registry, which in countries like Sweden (via the Swedish Knee Arthroplasty Register) and the U.S. tracks not just procedure counts but clinical outcomes, complications, and failure causes. While the 2021 study provides valuable baseline data, the authors stress that a registry is essential for improving care quality and patient safety long-term.

This article is based on research published in the Chinese Medical Journal (2021) by Bin Feng, Wei Zhu, Yan-Yan Bian, Xiao Chang, Kai-Yuan Cheng, and Xi-Sheng Weng. doi.org/10.1097/CM9.0000000000001196

Was this helpful?

0 / 0