The European spine market is small compared to that of the US, and is expected to see slow growth from 2000 to 2003 at a CAGR of 7.57%. This is partly because surgeons in many European countries are unwilling to learn about new products and technologies, and partly due to reimbursement obstacles. The market growth rate will slow towards the end of the period since many pipeline technologies will not be approved until the end of the decade.