Private equity has long been seen as something that happens to physicians — buying out practices, consolidating clinics, and rolling up ASCs. But that perspective is shifting.

Today, surgeons have an opportunity to be on the other side of the table. Not as sellers, but as strategic investors in private equity-backed healthcare innovation.

Recent orthopedic PE deals spotlighted in Becker’s Spine show continued interest in acquiring practices. But behind those headlines lies a more important trend. PE is not just buying clinics. It is also investing heavily in medtech, biologics, implants, and digital platforms that support surgical care.

Why Surgeons Should Pay Attention

You understand the field better than anyone. You know what technologies improve outcomes, reduce complications, or save time in the OR. That makes you uniquely positioned to evaluate opportunities that private equity is betting on.

When you invest in medtech or surgical innovation, you are not just placing capital. You are bringing clinical insight that can reduce risk and accelerate adoption.

From Operator to Owner

Physician investors are now backing:

• Interspinous and SI joint implants

• Biologic grafts and fusion materials

• Navigation tools and surgical robotics

• Digital workflow platforms for ASCs

These are not abstract assets. They are tools you use, or could use, every day. And when private equity invests in them, it creates an opportunity for you to participate in the upside as both a user and a shareholder.

What to Look For

• Strong Clinical Value: Invest in what improves patient care, not just what boosts margins.

• Scalable Adoption: Choose technologies that can integrate into existing workflows across practices and systems.

• Experienced Teams: Great technology requires strong execution. Support companies with clinical founders and real-world traction.

The Bottom Line

Private equity is no longer only about selling your practice. It is about owning a stake in the future of care. If you are a surgeon who understands what works in the OR, you already have an edge over most investors.