Smith+Nephew is a major global medical technology company headquartered in the United Kingdom. The company develops technologies and medical products designed to repair, regenerate and replace damaged or diseased human tissue.

Although Smith+Nephew is particularly well known for orthopaedic implants and advanced wound care, its portfolio is broader and includes sports medicine, trauma and extremities, robotics-assisted surgery, ear, nose and throat (ENT) technologies, wound dressings, negative pressure wound therapy and advanced biological solutions.

The company serves healthcare professionals and patients around the world and has a history stretching back approximately 170 years.

Smith+Nephew at a Glance

Category Details Company Smith+Nephew plc Country United Kingdom Industry Medical Technology Major Areas Orthopaedics, Sports Medicine, ENT, Advanced Wound Management 2025 Revenue $6.164 billion Main Business Units Orthopaedics; Sports Medicine & ENT; Advanced Wound Management Key Technologies Joint implants, robotics, sports medicine devices, wound dressings, NPWT Well-Known Products CORI, JOURNEY II, ALLEVYN, PICO, RENASYS, REGENETEN

Smith+Nephew describes itself as a portfolio medical technology company focused on the repair, regeneration and replacement of soft and hard tissue.

What Does Smith+Nephew Make?

Smith+Nephew’s medical technology portfolio covers several major areas of healthcare.

Its products include:

• Hip implants
• Knee implants
• Orthopaedic trauma products
• Extremity implants
• Robotic-assisted surgical systems
• Digital orthopaedic technologies
• Sports medicine implants and instruments
• Tendon repair technologies
• Cartilage repair technologies
• Arthroscopy products
• ENT surgical systems
• Wound dressings
• Antimicrobial dressings
• Foam dressings
• Negative pressure wound therapy systems
• Hydrogels
• Debridement technologies
• Wound bioactive products
• Skin protection products
• Pressure-injury prevention technologies

The company’s current portfolio is organized around Orthopaedics, Sports Medicine & ENT, and Advanced Wound Management.

1. Orthopaedic Reconstruction

Orthopaedics is one of Smith+Nephew’s most important businesses.

The company develops implants and technologies used to treat damaged joints and musculoskeletal conditions.

Its orthopaedic reconstruction portfolio includes:

• Knee replacement systems
• Hip replacement systems
• Surgical instruments
• Robotics-assisted surgery
• Digital surgical technologies
• Trauma systems
• Extremity products

Joint replacement can help patients whose joints have been significantly damaged by conditions such as osteoarthritis, injury or other degenerative problems.

Smith+Nephew’s portfolio includes both implant systems and technologies intended to help surgeons plan and perform procedures.

2. Knee Replacement Systems

Smith+Nephew develops total and partial knee replacement technologies.

Its knee portfolio includes systems designed around different patient anatomies, implant requirements and surgical approaches.

One of its recognized product families is JOURNEY II, which is designed for knee reconstruction.

The company is also developing newer personalized and digitally enabled approaches to knee replacement.

Smith+Nephew’s 2025 annual report highlighted its planned LANDMARK Knee System, intended to combine advanced kinematics, personalization and robotic enablement with the company’s existing instrumentation platform.

3. Hip Replacement

Smith+Nephew also manufactures hip replacement implants.

Hip reconstruction products can include:

• Acetabular components
• Femoral components
• Femoral heads
• Liners
• Fixation technologies
• Surgical instruments

The objective of a hip replacement procedure is to replace damaged joint surfaces with artificial components so that the patient can regain mobility and reduce pain associated with the underlying joint disease.

4. CORI Surgical System

One of Smith+Nephew’s notable technologies is the CORI Surgical System.

CORI is a handheld robotic-assisted platform designed to support orthopaedic surgeons during joint-replacement procedures.

The system combines:

• Robotics-assisted technology
• Digital surgical planning
• Computer-assisted navigation
• Patient-specific surgical information
• Handheld instrumentation

Smith+Nephew describes CORI as a platform designed to support multiple joint-arthroplasty indications rather than being limited to one particular joint.

Importantly, robotic-assisted orthopaedic surgery does not mean that the robot independently performs the operation. The surgeon remains responsible for the procedure and uses the technology as an enabling system.

5. Trauma and Extremities

Orthopaedic trauma is another important part of Smith+Nephew’s business.

Trauma products are used to stabilize fractures and help surgeons address severe injuries involving bones and extremities.

Products can include:

• Plates
• Screws
• Nails
• Fixation systems
• Upper-extremity products
• Lower-extremity products
• Trauma instruments

These systems are used in hospitals for the surgical management of fractures and other traumatic musculoskeletal injuries.

Smith+Nephew identifies trauma and extremities as an important part of its Orthopaedics portfolio.

6. Sports Medicine

Smith+Nephew is also a major company in sports medicine.

Its sports medicine technologies are designed to help physicians treat injuries affecting:

• Knee
• Shoulder
• Hip
• Foot and ankle
• Tendons
• Ligaments
• Cartilage

Sports medicine is not limited to professional athletes. These procedures can also be used for recreational athletes and patients who experience musculoskeletal injuries during everyday activities.

7. REGENETEN Bioinductive Implant

One of Smith+Nephew’s notable sports medicine technologies is the REGENETEN Bioinductive Implant.

It is a collagen-based bioinductive implant designed for tendon repair applications.

The technology is particularly associated with rotator cuff treatment.

Smith+Nephew describes REGENETEN as a bioinductive collagen scaffold intended to support tendon healing.

8. Arthroscopy and Minimally Invasive Sports Medicine

Smith+Nephew also provides technologies used in arthroscopic procedures.

Arthroscopy allows surgeons to work inside a joint through small access points using a camera and specialized instruments.

The company’s sports medicine portfolio supports procedures involving:

• Shoulder repair
• Knee repair
• Rotator cuff procedures
• Meniscus treatment
• Ligament reconstruction
• Cartilage procedures
• Hip arthroscopy

Such technologies can help surgeons perform many procedures through minimally invasive approaches.

9. CARTIHEAL AGILI-C Cartilage Repair Implant

Smith+Nephew’s portfolio also includes CARTIHEAL AGILI-C, a cartilage repair implant.

It is designed for the treatment of certain knee cartilage and osteochondral defects.

The technology is intended to provide a single-stage cartilage-repair option for appropriately selected patients.

Smith+Nephew currently lists AGILI-C among its major products and highlights its use in cartilage and osteochondral knee repair.

10. Advanced Wound Management

Wound care is one of Smith+Nephew’s most important global businesses.

Its Advanced Wound Management portfolio addresses acute, chronic and surgical wounds.

The company develops products intended to:

• Manage wound exudate
• Protect damaged skin
• Support wound healing
• Help control infection risk
• Prevent pressure injuries
• Support wound-bed preparation
• Manage complex wounds
• Support post-surgical wound care

Smith+Nephew divides its advanced wound-care activities into areas including wound care products, bioactives and wound-care devices.

11. ALLEVYN Foam Dressings

ALLEVYN is one of Smith+Nephew’s best-known wound-care product families.

ALLEVYN dressings are designed to manage wound exudate and protect wounds.

Different versions can be used for different wound types and clinical requirements.

The company currently lists ALLEVYN COMPLETE CARE among its top products.

Foam dressings can be useful in wound management because they can absorb wound fluid while providing a protective interface over the wound.

12. PICO Single-Use Negative Pressure Wound Therapy

Another important Smith+Nephew technology is PICO.

PICO is a single-use negative pressure wound therapy system.

Negative pressure wound therapy, commonly called NPWT, uses controlled negative pressure to manage wound fluid and support the wound environment.

Smith+Nephew lists PICO 7 among its wound-care products and describes it as a single-use NPWT system that can be used in hospital or home-care settings depending on the clinical situation.

13. RENASYS Negative Pressure Wound Therapy

Smith+Nephew also manufactures RENASYS negative pressure wound therapy systems.

RENASYS products are designed for more advanced wound-management applications.

The portfolio includes traditional systems as well as newer devices such as RENASYS EDGE.

Negative pressure therapy can be considered for selected complex or difficult-to-heal wounds and can also be used in some surgical-wound applications.

The appropriate device and treatment duration depend on the patient’s wound and the healthcare professional’s clinical assessment.

14. Antimicrobial Wound Dressings

Smith+Nephew also develops antimicrobial wound-care products.

Antimicrobial dressings can be used as part of a wound-management strategy where infection prevention or bacterial management is clinically important.

The company’s portfolio includes:

• Antimicrobial foam dressings
• Antimicrobial infection-management dressings
• Iodine-based wound products
• Other specialized antimicrobial solutions

Smith+Nephew notes that antimicrobial dressings are intended to help prevent bacteria entering the wound and reduce infection risk as part of an appropriate clinical pathway.

15. Hydrogels and Wound-Bed Preparation

Hydrogels are another category in the company’s wound-care portfolio.

They can hydrate wound tissue and help create a moist wound environment.

Certain hydrogel products can support autolytic debridement, helping the body remove non-viable tissue from the wound.

Smith+Nephew lists hydrogels as one of its major wound-care categories.

16. Advanced Wound Bioactives

Smith+Nephew’s wound business extends beyond conventional dressings.

Its Advanced Wound Bioactives portfolio includes products intended to support:

• Debridement
• Dermal repair
• Tissue regeneration
• Management of difficult wounds

The company’s current business-unit description identifies bioactive products and tissue-substitute technologies as an important part of its advanced wound-management strategy.

17. Pressure Injury Prevention

Pressure injuries can occur when prolonged pressure damages skin and underlying tissue, particularly in patients with limited mobility.

Smith+Nephew develops technologies and wound-care products that can be incorporated into pressure-injury prevention strategies.

Its wound portfolio includes products designed to protect vulnerable skin and manage pressure-related wound risks.

The company also lists pressure-injury prevention among its current wound-care areas of interest.

18. ENT Medical Devices

Smith+Nephew’s portfolio is not limited to orthopaedics and wound care.

The company also has an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) business.

Its ENT technologies include products used in procedures involving:

• Nose and nasal passages
• Sinuses
• Tonsils and adenoids
• Larynx
• Soft palate
• Turbinates
• Tympanostomy

Smith+Nephew specifically identifies epistaxis treatment, septoplasty, turbinate reduction, sinus surgery, tympanostomy and tonsil/adenoid procedures among its ENT applications.

19. TULA Tympanostomy System

The TULA Tympanostomy System is one of the company’s notable ENT technologies.

It is designed for tympanostomy tube procedures involving the ear.

Smith+Nephew currently lists TULA among its top products alongside CORI, JOURNEY II, ALLEVYN, RENASYS and other technologies.

20. COBLATION Technology

Smith+Nephew also offers COBLATION technology for selected ENT procedures.

The technology uses controlled plasma energy and is associated with procedures involving airway and ENT applications.

The company’s current product listings include COBLATION technology for airway management.

21. Smith+Nephew’s Three Global Business Units

The company currently operates through three major global business units.

Orthopaedics

This includes:

• Hip implants
• Knee implants
• Trauma
• Extremities
• Robotics
• Digital technologies

Sports Medicine & ENT

This includes:

• Arthroscopy
• Sports injury treatment
• Tendon repair
• Cartilage repair
• ENT devices
• TULA
• COBLATION

Advanced Wound Management

This includes:

• Foam dressings
• Antimicrobial dressings
• NPWT
• Hydrogels
• Debridement
• Bioactive wound technologies
• Pressure-injury prevention

Smith+Nephew officially identifies these three business units as the company’s global operating structure.

22. Smith+Nephew’s Financial Scale

Smith+Nephew reported $6.164 billion in revenue for 2025, representing 6.1% reported growth and 5.3% underlying growth.

The company stated that all three global business units achieved underlying revenue growth above 5% in 2025.

The company’s next strategic phase, called RISE, focuses on expanding patient access, innovation, strategic investment and operational execution.

Smith+Nephew has set 2028 objectives including 6–7% organic revenue CAGR and 9–10% trading-profit CAGR.

23. Research, Innovation and Digital Surgery

Medical technology is increasingly moving toward personalized treatment, digital planning and robotic assistance.

Smith+Nephew is investing in:

• Robotic-assisted surgery
• Digital surgical platforms
• Personalized orthopaedic procedures
• Advanced wound therapies
• Regenerative technologies
• Sports medicine innovation
• New implant technologies
• ENT technologies

CORI is an example of the company’s move toward digitally enabled and robotics-assisted orthopaedic surgery.

The company’s strategy also identifies Sports Medicine, Advanced Wound Management and ENT as important growth areas.

24. Smith+Nephew and Modern Orthopaedic Surgery

Traditional joint replacement relies heavily on the surgeon’s experience, surgical instruments and implant systems.

Modern orthopaedic surgery increasingly adds:

• Digital planning
• Computer-assisted navigation
• Robotics
• Patient-specific information
• Improved instrumentation
• Data-driven surgical workflows

Smith+Nephew is developing products across these areas, particularly through its CORI platform and digital-enabling technologies.

The goal is to give surgeons additional information and control during procedures while maintaining the surgeon’s central role in treatment.

25. Why Smith+Nephew Is Important in Wound Care

Wound management can become complicated when wounds are large, infected, chronic, highly exudative or slow to heal.

A modern wound-care program may involve multiple stages:

Assessment → wound cleaning/debridement → moisture and exudate management → infection management → protection → healing and monitoring

Smith+Nephew supplies technologies across several of these stages.

Its portfolio includes basic and advanced dressings, antimicrobial solutions, hydrogels, negative pressure therapy and bioactive technologies.

26. Smith+Nephew in Simple Terms

For readers who are unfamiliar with medical-device companies, Smith+Nephew can be understood through four major areas:

Joint replacement:
Hip and knee implants used in orthopaedic reconstruction.

Sports medicine:
Products for repairing tendons, ligaments, cartilage and other sports-related injuries.

Robotic surgery:
CORI technology designed to assist surgeons during selected joint-replacement procedures.

Wound care:
Dressings, negative pressure wound therapy, antimicrobial products, hydrogels and advanced wound-healing technologies.

The company additionally operates an ENT business covering procedures involving the ear, nose and throat.

27. Frequently Asked Questions About Smith+Nephew

What is Smith+Nephew?

Smith+Nephew is a UK-based global medical technology company specializing in orthopaedics, sports medicine, ENT and advanced wound management.

Where is Smith+Nephew based?

Smith+Nephew is headquartered in the United Kingdom.

What does Smith+Nephew manufacture?

Its products include hip and knee implants, trauma products, sports medicine devices, robotic surgical technologies, ENT devices, wound dressings, negative pressure wound therapy systems and advanced wound-care products.

Does Smith+Nephew make knee implants?

Yes. Knee reconstruction is an important part of its Orthopaedics business, including products such as JOURNEY II and newer technologies under development.

Does Smith+Nephew make hip implants?

Yes. Hip implants are part of the company’s Orthopaedics portfolio.

What is the CORI Surgical System?

CORI is a handheld robotic-assisted surgical platform designed to support surgeons during selected orthopaedic joint-replacement procedures.

What is ALLEVYN?

ALLEVYN is a family of wound dressings designed for wound management and exudate control.

What is PICO?

PICO is a single-use negative pressure wound therapy system used for selected wound-management applications.

What is RENASYS?

RENASYS is Smith+Nephew’s negative pressure wound therapy technology portfolio, including traditional and newer NPWT systems.

Does Smith+Nephew manufacture ENT devices?

Yes. Its ENT portfolio includes technologies for sinus surgery, septoplasty, turbinate reduction, tympanostomy and other ENT procedures.

Does Smith+Nephew operate in sports medicine?

Yes. Sports Medicine is one of the company’s major business areas, with technologies for procedures involving the shoulder, knee, hip and other musculoskeletal structures.

How large is Smith+Nephew?

The company reported $6.164 billion in revenue for 2025.

Conclusion

Smith+Nephew is a major UK medical technology company with a portfolio spanning orthopaedics, sports medicine, ENT and advanced wound management.

Its orthopaedic business provides hip and knee implants, trauma products and technologies such as the CORI robotic-assisted surgical platform. Its Sports Medicine business addresses tendon, ligament and cartilage procedures, while its ENT portfolio covers a variety of ear, nose and throat applications.

Wound management is another defining part of Smith+Nephew. Products such as ALLEVYN dressings, PICO and RENASYS negative pressure wound therapy systems, antimicrobial dressings and advanced wound technologies give healthcare professionals multiple options for managing acute, chronic and surgical wounds.

With continued investment in robotics, digital surgery, regenerative technologies and advanced wound care, Smith+Nephew remains an important international medical-device manufacturer and a significant contributor to modern orthopaedic and wound-management care.