Reinhold Schmieding started Arthrex in 1981, after working for an American medical device company in Germany. In an interview with the Naples, FL Chamber of Commerce, Schmieding said he passed up medical school to start Arthrex because he saw a need for surgical tools to be used in arthroscopic surgeries.

More than 8500 products have been developed at Arthrex, including orthobiologics, tools and devices for use in joint procedures. The devices are used in more than 100 countries around the world, according to the company. Forbes has reported Arthrex has estimated revenue of $1.5 billion