Access to Orthopaedic Devices in Low and Middle-Income Countries: Challenges and Opportunities.

J Bone Joint Surg Am · May 21 2025 · Review

Dworkin M, Woolley PM, Shahab F, Noe MC, Barry R, Chomba D, et al.

Harvard Global Orthopaedics Collaborative, Boston, Massachusetts

General Orthopaedics

SUMMARY — THE REDUCTIONReviews barriers to orthopaedic device access in low- and middle-income countries and calls for partnerships, local manufacturing, and outcomes-based research to improve sustainable care.
Abstract, as published

➢ Musculoskeletal injuries constitute a substantial proportion of worldwide disease, with access limited to many due to the availability and cost of devices. A multifaceted approach is needed to improve system-level access to care.➢ Although a number of procurement policies are utilized, providers in low and middle-income countries often struggle with inconsistent supply chains, leading to delays in care or less desirable management strategies.➢ Partnerships between governments, academic institutions, and nongovernmental agencies are needed to improve access to devices by providing funds for patients and creating regulatory bodies to ensure product quality and availability.➢ There should be a focus on local and regional manufacturing as well as job creation within low and middle-income countries to achieve sustainable access to orthopaedic devices.➢ High-quality research initiatives are needed to provide evidence-based solutions. This includes a focus on outcomes-based studies to determine best management practices within the low and middle-income countries' context and operations research to optimize systems for device procurement.

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