Full Press Release Details
Uniting the most advanced technologies for biomechanical repair and biological augmentation
Smith+Nephew (LSE:SN, NYSE:SNN), the global medical technology company, today announces it will showcase its unrivalled portfolio for rotator cuff repair (RCR) during the 2026 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Annual Meeting in New Orleans this week. RCR is a growing market segment with approximately 500,000 procedures performed annually in the US,1yet still experiencing 20–40%2structural failure rates using traditional surgical techniques.
Tendon Seam offers a new and unique biomechanical repair technique alongside market-leading biological augmentation of the REGENETEN Bioinductive Implant, giving Smith+Nephew a differentiated and disruptive RCR portfolio. These technologies aim to drive better outcomes – through immediate biomechanical repair to improve early outcomes and biological augmentation supporting tendon integrity.
The newly acquired Tendon Seamis designed to reduce re‑tear rates and improve patient outcomes versus the current standard of care. Its novel repair stitch configuration with multiple points of fixation, patented microanchors, continuous suture, individually locked stitches, and integrated implantation instrument are designed to deliver strong and stable repairs with a simplified surgical technique. The system received 510(k) clearance in 2023 and is indicated for reattachment of soft tissue to bone, including tendons, ligaments, and joint capsules.
With more than 250,000 procedures4completed globally since its introduction in 2014, the REGENETEN Bioinductive Implant has had a transformative impact, offering a better solution for thousands of patients with rotator cuff injuries every year.5The collagen-based implant supports the body’s natural healing response to facilitate the formation of new tissue to biologically augment repairs – demonstrated by Randomized Control Trial (RCT) data showing improved outcomes versus traditional repair.6-10
This year’s meeting will be the first since AAOS published its revised Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) that supports the use of bioinductive implants for rotator cuff repair. TheAmerican Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) CPG on the ‘Management of Rotator Cuff Injuries’highlights the value of bioinductive implants in rotator cuff repair based on independent analysis of studies. Analyzing RCTs for bioinductive implants, AAOS have issued aStrongRecommendationthat:
‘The use of bioinductive tendon implants to augment rotator cuff repair, or as an alternative to standard repair, can lead to lower re-tear rates and better patient reported outcomes.’
To learn more about Smith+Nephew’s joint repair solutions for Sports Medicine and our leading rotator cuff repair portfolio, please visit our booth (#839) at AAOS in New Orleans, March 2-6, 2026 or visitwww.smith-nephew.com.
- ends –
Media EnquiriesDave Snyder +1 (978) 749-1440Smith+Nephewdavid.snyder@smith-nephew.com
References
About Smith+NephewSmith+Nephew is a portfolio medical technology business focused on the repair, regeneration and replacement of soft and hard tissue. We exist to restore people’s bodies and their self-belief by using technology to take the limits off living. We call this purpose ‘Life Unlimited’. Our 17,000 employees deliver this mission every day, making a difference to patients’ lives through the excellence of our product portfolio, and the invention and application of new technologies across our three global business units of Orthopaedics, Sports Medicine & ENT and Advanced Wound Management.
Founded in Hull, UK, in 1856, we now operate in around 100 countries, and generated annual sales of $6.2 billion in 2025. Smith+Nephew is a constituent of the FTSE100 (LSE:SN, NYSE:SNN). The terms ‘Group’ and ‘Smith+Nephew’ are used to refer to Smith & Nephew plc and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context requires otherwise.
For more information about Smith+Nephew, please visitwww.smith-nephew.comand follow us onX,LinkedIn,InstagramorFacebook.
Forward-looking Statements
This document may contain forward-looking statements that may or may not prove accurate. For example, statements regarding expected revenue growth and trading profit margins, market trends and our product pipeline are forward-looking statements. Phrases such as "aim", "plan", "intend", "anticipate", "well-placed", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target", "consider" and similar expressions are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from what is expressed or implied by the statements. For Smith+Nephew, these factors include: conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, economic and financial conditions in the markets we serve, especially those affecting healthcare providers, payers and customers; price levels for established and innovative medical devices; developments in medical technology; regulatory approvals, reimbursement decisions or other government actions; product defects or recalls or other problems with quality management systems or failure to comply with related regulations; litigation relating to patent or other claims; legal and financial compliance risks and related investigative, remedial or enforcement actions; disruption to our supply chain or operations or those of our suppliers; competition for qualified personnel; strategic actions, including acquisitions and disposals, our success in performing due diligence, valuing and integrating acquired businesses; disruption that may result from transactions or other changes we make in our business plans or organisation to adapt to market developments; relationships with healthcare professionals; reliance on information technology and cybersecurity; disruptions due to natural disasters, weather and climate change related events; changes in customer and other stakeholder sustainability expectations; changes in taxation regulations; effects of foreign exchange volatility; and numerous other matters that affect us or our markets, including those of a political, economic, business, competitive or reputational nature. Please refer to the documents that Smith+Nephew has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including Smith+Nephew's most recent annual report on Form 20-F, which is available on the SEC’s website at www. sec.gov, for a discussion of certain of these factors. Any forward-looking statement is based on information available to Smith+Nephew as of the date of the statement. All written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to Smith+Nephew are qualified by this caution. Smith+Nephew does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect any change in circumstances or in Smith+Nephew's expectations.
◊Trademark of Smith+Nephew. Certain marks registered in US Patent and Trademark Office.