Global OTC Braces and Supports Market is estimated to be valued at over US$ 1.83 billion by 2033 and register a CAGR of over 6.60% during the forecast period 2025 to 2033.

The increasing demand for over-the-counter (OTC) orthopedic braces among the elderly population is expected to drive market growth. The rising prevalence of diseases that degenerate bones, such as obesity, is predicted to fuel the global OTC braces and supports market growth in the coming years. OTC orthopedic braces are readily available through e-commerce, which is projected to expand the OTC brace market further and increase its size.

Moreover, the adoption of orthopedic braces as a preventive measure is positively influencing the market growth. The increasing prevalence of orthopedic injuries and the growing participation of youth in sports activities may create new growth opportunities in the global market. However, limited financial support is available for over-the-counter (OTC) orthopedic braces, which may hinder the growth of the global OTC orthopedic braces market.

The knee Braces and Supports Segment is Projected to Dominate the Market

The knee braces and supports held the largest global OTC braces and support market share in 2018. This large share can be credited to the growing ageing and obese population as they are highly probable of getting diagnosed with osteoarthritis and other knee-related conditions, the advantages provided by these products like medial and lateral support and increasing sports-related injuries, injury limitation during motion, protection from the post-surgical injury risk and reduction of knee rotation.

Soft and elastic braces are widely used as support and bracing products in orthopedics. They provide unrestricted patient mobility, are easy to use, flexible, and can be customised, which cannot be done in other surgical options. The large segment share can be attributed to the increasing accessibility of novel products, growing acceptance, and patients prioritizing orthopedic braces in both preventive and post-operative care, as well as the bolstering reimbursement scenario for target-related products across developed markets.

Retailers and pharmacies provide orthopedic support and bracing products for post-operative rehabilitation, physiotherapy, fracture recovery, and preventive care. These are prefabricated products and do not require altered specifications, such as girth, screwing, or length, to align them with the patient's body. Thus, there is no requirement for the presence or medical supervision of an orthopedic technician for their administration. The global OTC braces and supports market growth can be attributed to the wide availability of orthopedic bracing products through pharmacies and retailers, as well as the increasing acceptance of over-the-counter products for ligament and sprain injuries in multiple countries.

Global OTC Braces and Supports Market Segmentation:

By Product

  • Knee Braces and Supports
  • Ankle Braces and Supports
  • Foot Walkers and Orthoses
  • Back, Hip and Spine Braces and Supports
  • Shoulder Braces and Supports
  • Elbow Braces and Supports
  • Hand & Wrist Braces and Supports
  • Facial Braces and Supports

By Type

  • Soft & elastic Braces and Supports
  • Hard & Rigid Braces and Supports
  • Hinged Braces and Supports

By Application

  • Ligament Injury Repair
    • Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries
    • Lateral Collateral Ligament
    • Other Ligament Injuries
  • Preventive Care
  • Post-Operative Rehabilitation
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Compression Therapy
  • Other Applications

By Distribution Channel

  • Pharmacies & Retailers
  • E-Commerce Platforms
  • Orthopedic Clinics

By Region

  • North America
  • Europe
  • Asia Pacific
  • Latin America
  • Middle East & Africa

North America is the primary region for generating massive revenues that are aiding in the expansion of the global OTC braces and supports market size. The supportive regulations of the government for the commercialization of products, rising incidences of musculoskeletal conditions in the ageing population, consistent commercialization and development of advanced OTC orthopedic support and bracing products, substantial increase in the number of sports-related injuries in the nation, public participating actively in physical activities and the presence of established manufacturers in the region are steering the market growth in the region.

Major players included in the OTC Braces and Supports Market:

  • 3M Company
  • Alcare Co. Ltd.
  • Bauerfeind AG
  • Brid and Cronin Inc.
  • Breg Inc.
  • BSN Medical
  • DJO Medical
  • Deroyal Industries Inc.
  • Medi GmbHCo. KG
  • Össur HF
  • Ottoboack Healthcare
  • Thuasne Group
  • Trulife
  • Zimmer Biomet Holdings Inc.

Recent Developments by Leading Companies

  • DJO Global, Inc.: In January 2024, DJO introduced a new line of advanced knee braces designed for post-surgery recovery, improving patient mobility by 25%. 

  • Ottobock SE & Co. KGaA: In March 2024, Ottobock acquired a regional orthopedic brace manufacturer to expand its product range, anticipating a 20% increase in market share.

  • Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.: On March 27, 2024, Zimmer Biomet partnered with OSSIS to become the exclusive distributor of personalized 3D-printed titanium hip replacement joints in the Asia-Pacific region.

FutureWise Key Takeaways:

  • Growth prospects
  • SWOT analysis
  • Key trends
  • Key data-points affecting market growth

Objectives of the Study:

  • To provide an exhaustive analysis on the global OTC braces and supports market By Product, By Type, By Application, By Distribution Channel, and By Region.
  • To provide comprehensive information on factors impacting market growth (drivers, restraints, industry-specific restraints, and opportunities)
  • To forecast and evaluate micro-markets and the overall market 
  • To predict the market size, in key regions (along with countries)— North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa
  • To record, evaluate, and analyse competitive landscape mapping- technological advancements, product launches, expansions, and mergers

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