An increasing number of independent orthopedic practices are seeking strategic partnerships with private equity firms and management services organizations as a way to steady the ship in the midst of a challenging economic environment.
However, questions remain on the long-term effect private equity investment will have on these practices and what their involvement in the healthcare industry will mean for patient care.
Here are 15 private equity deals in orthopedics this year:
1-2. Three orthopedic practices combined to form Dallas-based Novum Orthopedic Partners, which added Fort Worth-based North Texas Orthopedics & Spine Center in July.
3. Nashville, Tenn.-based Triumph Orthopedics, a private equity-backed support organization, formed in April.
4. Atlanta-based Resurgens Orthopaedics, armed with private equity investment, branded its orthopedic platform United Musculoskeletal Partners.
5. Orthopaedic Specialists of Austin (Texas) joined Growth Orthopedics, a management services organization backed by Miami-based Trivest Partners.
6-7. U.S. Orthopaedic Partners acquired Montgomery, Ala.-based Southern Orthopaedic Surgeons and Huntsville, Ala.-based SportsMed Orthopedic Surgery & Spine Center.
8-10. Spire Orthopedic Partners added Middletown, Conn.-based Middlesex Orthopedic Surgeons, Chelmsford, Mass.-based Orthopaedic Surgical Associates as well as Peabody, Mass.-based Sports Medicine North and its Orthopedic Surgical Center of the North Shore.
11-12. Gainesville, Fla.-based Orthopedic Care Partners entered its fourth state after affiliating with St. Louis-based Motion Orthopaedics and is buying an ownership stake in value-based care company ValueHealth's ASC in The Villages, Fla.
13. Cincinnati-based OrthoAlliance partnered with New Albany, Ohio-based JIS Orthopedics.
14. Newport Beach, Calif.-based DISC Sports & Spine Center secured private equity investment to expand its outpatient model.
15. Kentuckiana Foot & Ankle Sports Medicine in Louisville, Ky., joined Podiatry Growth Partners.