Fillauer, a Chattanooga-based manufacturer of orthotic and prosthetic products since 1914, is expanding into a more direct patient service with a new clinic in East Brainerd.
In partnership with the Nashville-based Amputee Associates, Fillauer opened a storefront location this week in the Waterside shopping center off of Shallowford Road to help with the treatment and fittings of Fillauer’s range of devices for amputees and others needing upper and lower limb prosthetics.
In an announcement of the new clinic, Fillauer said the company is relocating its local patient care center from its manufacturing plant and headquarters on Amnicola Highway to a new site next to the REI store on Lifestyle Way. Fillauer said the new clinic location will be more patient-friendly and closer to facilities such as the nearby Vascular Institute, which treats many of those with limb ailments and diabetes-related health problems that Fillauer’s equipment helps address.
“This dynamic collaboration between Fillauer and direct patient care is key to better outcomes and the health of the Chattanooga community,” said Michael Fillauer, the CEO and fourth-generation leader of the family-owned firm that bears his name.
Ted MacDonald, CEO of Amputee Associates, which is a partner in the joint venture operating the clinic, said Fillauer is one of the oldest and most respected producers of artificial limbs and prosthetic products “and we’re looking forward to this partnership.”
“Our expertise is providing great care to amputees and Fillauer’s great expertise in manufacturing of almost any prosthetic device you can think of,” MacDonald said during a grand opening ceremony at the new storefront Thursday.
In Chattanooga, the clinic will operate under the Fillauer brand but a similar joint venture in Nashville will use the Surgical Clinic name. Amputee Associates operates eight other clinics around the country and is one of Fillaeur’s biggest clients and partners.
With an aging population and more detection and treatment of a variety of diabetes and limb ailments, the prosthetic arm market is growing at an annual growth rate of nearly 15.9% and is projected to reach more than $2.2 billion in the United States by 2027, according to a research report prepared by Research and Markets.
“With growing technology, artificial intelligence and machine learning, the prosthetic limb market has seen significant development,” researchers reported in a study on the prosthetic arm market. “Innovations such as cybernetic arms that are powered and controlled by a smartphone, as well as the usage of accelerometer technology, are creating substantial business prospects, while Bluetooth connectivity is continuing to rise.”
According to the National Health Interview Survey and Vital Statistics report, the United States has an estimated 1.9 million amputees and around 185,000 amputation procedures conducted each year. Peripheral vascular disease and diabetes account for 82% of all amputations done.
These numbers are expected to further increase with the rising prevalence of such diseases. According to the International Diabetes Federation, about 537 million people around the world had diabetes in 2021, and that number is expected to reach 783 million by 2045.
Contact Dave Flessner at dflessner@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6340. Follow him on Twitter @dflessner1.
Fillauer at a glance
Headquarters: Chattanooga with eight subsidiaries across the country and in Europe.
History: Started in September 1914 by George W. Fillauer Sr., who opened the business as Red Cross Pharmacy on Third Street across from Erlanger. In the late 1920s, the company became Fillauer Surgical and started its orthotic and prosthetic divisions. In 1972, the company merged with Durr Drug Co. and Durr-Fillauer went public. In 1993, Karl Fillauer bought the company and led the business through multiple acquisitions.
CEO: Michael Fillauer is the fourth-generation CEO of the company.