The global traditional wound management market size was worth USD 6.43 billion in 2022 And is projected to reach an expected value of USD 8.77 billion at a CAGR of 3.5% over the forecast period (2023 – 2031).
Traditional wound dressings include gauze, bandages, tapes, and cotton. These dressings are dry and do not provide a moist or liquid wound environment. They can be deployed as primary or secondary dressings. Traditional dressings are still most commonly used for managing burn wounds. The combination of gauze and cotton is the most common dressing type, providing high absorption capacity. The traditional wound management approach is still used in the care of chronic wounds; however, only traditional wound management products are insufficient to solve the need for wound care due to the presence of a co-morbid population.
Primarily or secondarily, traditional wound dressings are used to prevent infection. Protecting wound fluids, preventing and managing infection, limiting mechanical influences, and influencing collagen maturation are all components of conventional wound management. Burns, trauma, and surgical incisions all benefit greatly from their application. It can be used to heal various long-lasting wounds, including those caused by pressure, diabetes, venous leg ulcers, and arterial ulcers.
Chronic conditions include urological illnesses, cancer, cardiovascular issues, neurovascular issues, and other issues that are becoming more common. According to WHO, chronic diseases are to blame for over 60% of all mortality globally. As a result of high blood pressure, obesity, smoking, diabetes, sedentary lifestyle, and excessive alcohol use, a sizable portion of the population is today at risk of developing chronic diseases. Heart disease is the leading reason of death worldwide, accounting for 17.9 million lives lost every year. Likewise, more than 100 million Americans were living with diabetes or prediabetes conditions, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) 2017 National Diabetes Statistic Report.
Furthermore, cancer has been a major contributor to the global healthcare burden and is one of the leading causes of death. According to estimates by WHO, cancer is a leading cause of death globally, with almost 1 in 6 deaths attributed to the disease. It also reported that over 70% of cancer-related deaths typically occur in middle- and low-income regions. In addition, the frequency of procedures has also increased hence the rising prevalence of chronic diseases. Traditional wound care products such as cotton, gauze, tapes, and bandages are, thus, increasingly being used to prevent surgical-site infections. Therefore, the rising incidence of chronic illnesses is anticipated to drive the demand for traditional wound care products, propelling the market growth.
Globally, the growing incidence of accidents, such as road accidents, trauma, and burns, is estimated to drive market growth. According to a WHO report released in 2020, approximately 1.35 million people die worldwide each year due to traffic accidents. It also stated that around 93% of deaths occur owing to road accidents in middle-income and low-income countries. Therefore, growing instances of road accidents are projected to drive the demand for traditional wound management products over the forecast period, propelling the market growth.
The growing number of trauma cases, such as burns, is further projected to positively contribute to the global market growth. Traumatic events are most common in low- and middle-income countries compared to high-income countries. For instance, according to a report published by WHO in 2018, around 180,000 deaths are recorded yearly due to burns. Similarly, according to the same source, around 1,000,000 people are severely or temperately burnt in India yearly. In addition, as per NCBI, in 2017, countries such as Bulgaria, Finland, the Netherlands, China, Australia, and the UK reported a rise in the incidence of burn wounds. An increase in burn cases is anticipated to increase the demand for wound dressing products for traditional wound care, fueling the market growth over the forecast period.
Chronic wounds, such as leg ulcers, pressure ulcers, and diabetic foot ulcers, can develop from mild to severe due to delayed identification and treatment, leading to foot amputation. Delayed diagnosis is much higher in growing nations like India, China, and Brazil than in industrialized nations. This can be attributed to a lack of public knowledge about difficult-to-heal wounds, the absence of well-developed healthcare infrastructure, and the lack of rules and action plans by governing organizations. For example, the diagnosis of foot ulcers, including diabetic/neuropathic ulcers, is delayed by more than a month up to a year in West India, according to research published in the Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery (Asia-Pacific). Therefore, lower diagnostic and treatment rates are primarily responsible for the lack of good reimbursement practices for chronic and acute wounds in developing countries.
The high growth in demand for home healthcare services can be attributed to the rising workforce of homecare services. This is expected to be a major driver for the global market. As per the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of home healthcare and personal care aides in the US is projected to reach around 13.0 million in 2020. Moreover, as older people are more likely to benefit from such services, the growing geriatric population in the US is predicted to increase demand for home healthcare services. As per Population Reference Bureau, Americans aged 65 and above are expected to increase from 52.0 million in 2018 to 95.0 million by 2060. This would increase the percentage of the elderly population in the United States from 16.0% in 2018 to 23.0% in 2060.
In addition, a growing number of surgical procedures is also anticipated to boost the demand for home healthcare services. For example, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), over 17.7 million surgical and minimally invasive cosmetic operations were in the United States in 2018. Similarly, according to Molnlycke Health Care AB, over 70 million surgical procedures are carried out in Europe annually, increasing by 3% to 4% annually. Most people prefer home healthcare services over hospital stays because patients who need surgery must stay in hospitals for a longer period. Patient benefits from these services include personal care, home-delivered meals, and more. These elements are projected to increase demand for home healthcare services and further fuel market growth throughout the forecast period.
| Study Period | 2019-2031 | CAGR | 3.5% |
| Historical Period | 2019-2021 | Forecast Period | 2023-2031 |
| Base Year | 2022 | Base Year Market Size | USD 6.43 billion |
| Forecast Year | 2031 | Forecast Year Market Size | USD 8.77 billion |
| Largest Market | North America | Fastest Growing Market | Europe |
North America is the most significant global traditional wound management market shareholder and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 3.41% over the forecast period. In 2022, North America's global market share was 45.0% of total revenue. The region is expected to be driven by the growing incidence of chronic illnesses, as well as the rising number of cases of sports injuries and car accidents. The market is expected to be driven by rising traffic accidents, sports injuries, and the presence of several important players in the region. In addition, the presence of adequate skilled professionals and highly developed healthcare infrastructure is expected to drive the market over the forecast period.
Furthermore, there is a greater need for wound care products in the region because elderly people are more likely to sustain wounds. For instance, the Administration for Community Living reports that 16% of the population was 65 or older in 2019. This equates to 54.1 million people. Product demand is anticipated to be bolstered by factors such as the rising incidence of traffic accidents and the accessibility of trained professionals in the area.
Europe is expected to grow at a CAGR of 2.9% over the forecast period. Factors like well-established healthcare infrastructure and the availability of skilled professionals drive Europe's traditional wound management market. Moreover, favorable reimbursement coverage has increased the adoption of surgical procedures. It is anticipated that the growing geriatric population and the prevalence of burns and trauma will drive the market. Additionally, wounds are a growing concern in Europe, and treatment involves considerable resources. Various surveys conducted in the UK have reported that the prevalence of wounds is 3 to 4 per 1,000 people. It is also estimated that around 400,000 to 600,000 new cases of diabetic foot ulcers will be diagnosed every year, and approximately 1 million new cases of venous leg ulcers every year. The aging population and rise in long-term chronic conditions are expected to increase demand for traditional wound management in Europe.
In Asia-Pacific, the traditional wound management market is estimated to grow quickly over the forecast period. According to predictions, the presence of developing countries like China and Japan will hasten the rise of the industry in the Asia Pacific region. Additionally, the region's rising need for conventional wound treatment products can be linked to these nations' fast-expanding medical tourism business. For instance, 58,300 medical tourists traveled to India on medical visas in 2015–2016, according to the report on Export Health Services by the Directorate-General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics of India.
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The market is segmented into gauze, tapes, bandages, and cotton. The gauze segment is the highest contributor to the market and is predicted to exhibit a CAGR of 3.01% during the forecast period. The term "medical gauze" refers to a white cloth or fabric that has been bleached and is typically used in bandages, dressings, and surgical sponges. Its primary application is as a dressing for wounds. In addition, gauze is versatile and can be utilized in various ways, including packing, cleaning, covering, scrubbing, and securing wounds. Therefore, the rising incidence of acute and chronic wounds and the increasing number of accidents and surgeries globally are expected to drive segment growth. For instance, as per Brazilian National Transport Confederation 2018, fatal crashes on Federal roads increased by 1.2% from 2017. These bandages help keep wounds clean and allow rapid healing.
The market is bifurcated into chronic and acute wounds. The acute wounds segment owns the highest market share and is predicted to exhibit a CAGR of 3.3% during the forecast period. Acute wounds, including cuts, abrasions, burns, scratches, and puncture wounds, are sudden skin injuries. According to the typical wound healing procedure, it heals normally. These injuries can be small scrapes to large wounds, which can happen anywhere on the body. Burns and surgical and traumatic wounds are included in acute wounds. The burns category is anticipated to grow at the fastest rate over the forecast period due to increased burn injuries. In addition, acute wounds are treated differently depending on their location and severity. However, gauze and tape are used to dress the wound as the main form of care. Therefore, a rise in patients with acute wounds is anticipated to boost segment expansion.
The market is bifurcated into hospitals, clinics, home healthcare, and others. The hospital segment dominates the global market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.5% during the forecast period. Surgical wound care and bone fracture dressings are predominantly suitable for hospital use and not feasible for home care. The increasing incidence of surgical wounds due to the rising number of surgeries drives segment growth. The surgical site infection treatment requires a prolonged hospital stay and constant monitoring. In addition, increasing cases of diabetic foot ulcers and venous leg ulcers are also anticipated to drive the segment since medical tapes and bandages are majorly used in such conditions. Such factors may boost segment growth over the forecast period.
