Product warranties by orthopaedic surgery companies. Quality control or a new fad?

Introduction: Product guarantees are known to the manufacturing industry, however warranties have been rare in Orthopaedic surgery. Over the last 10 years, select manufacturers of implants have instituted warranties of varying scope, length, and reimbursement. This phenomenon prompted us to investigate the landscape of warranties in Orthopaedics and compare that to other medical industries to better inform their impact on patient care.Methods: We conducted a systematic review of patient access material of over 120 Orthopaedic manufacturers including that of the Top 25 grossing companies of 2022 to identify the prevalence and scope of these warranties.Results: We identified eight companies that offer a warranty on implants. The expiration time for the implant warranties ranged from one year to lifetime. The scope of the warranties ranged from coverage of a one-time component replacement to outcome-based guarantees that cover any complications and revisions that may result from the surgery.Discussion: While the use of warranties remains uncommon in orthopaedics, their utility is expanding and evolving. Contemporary warranties appear to have a focus on enhancing product-marketability and improving quality-control.