The United States orthopedics market is slated to reach $4.2 billion in the next three years, according to a report by the Millenium Research Group. While the industry has faced some challenges like metal-on-metal hip implants, the overall orthopedics industry has been growing at a rapid pace. Orthopedic products include devices for ankles, feet, shoulders, elbows, wrists and hands. In total, the annual growth rate of the orthopedics market is forecasted to be 3.4%.

Despite some issues with its joint products, J&J dominates the orthopedics industry. By 2018, analysts predict that the company will command more than one-fourth of the total market.

Coming in at number one, Johnson & Johnson had sales of $7.2 billion last year. By 2018, analysts predict this will rise to $10.6 billion.

In second place, Stryker landed sales of $4.9 billion last year. By 2018, Stryker is forecasted to have total sales of $6.4 billion.

Other players (ordered high-to-low by 2012 sales) include Zimmer, Biomet Medtronic, Smith & Nephew, Arthrex, NuVasive, Globus Medical and Wright Medical Group.

Out of these companies, Globus Medical is posed for the strongest growth. While the company pulled in $386 million last year, analysts predict that it could achieve annual sales of $706 million by 2018.

"[Johnson & Johnson]'s purchase of Synthes will, with DePuy, create the undisputed leader in what is an otherwise fragmented and competitive market," noted a Millenium Research Group analyst. "Despite the sale of DePuy's trauma unit to Biomet, the combined company will attain market leadership in the orthopedic extremity markets -- but this market has a number of other strong competitors, including Arthrex, Tornier and Smith & Nephew, all of which are capable of responding with their own acquisitions, [research and development] investments and marketing strategy changes."

A separate report from EvaluateMedTech predicted which firms would be the top ten orthopedic firms in 2018. The first four companies would remain unchanged from 2012: