The CARTICEL Procedure

The CARTICEL procedure involves three distinct phases: biopsy, implantation and rehabilitation. Careful patient selection; addressing all concurrent knee pathology; and an appropriate rehabilitation program are all critical factors to a successful outcome following CARTICEL implantation. Studies have shown CARTICEL to be an effective knee cartilage repair treatment for many patients who have had an inadequate response to a prior arthroscopic or other surgical repair procedure.

Knee Assessment and Biopsy

An articular cartilage injury may be found during any arthroscopic knee procedure. Many patients who have other knee injuries, such as ACL or meniscal injuries, have concomitant articular cartilage injuries. Prior to any arthroscopic procedure, it may be beneficial to educate the patient on all cartilage repair options, including CARTICEL.

Surgery

The second step in the CARTICEL procedure is the implantation surgery. This includes creating an optimal defect bed, preparing and placing a periosteal patch and injecting CARTICEL into the defect.

As per the CARTICEL labeling, please note that the FDA mandates that all CARTICEL surgeons must be trained in the surgical procedure. The surgical procedure must be performed in accordance with the procedure outlined in the CARTICEL surgical manual. Refer to our training and resources page for more information.

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Indication

Carticel® (autologous cultured chondrocytes) is an autologous cellular product indicated for the repair of symptomatic cartilage defects of the femoral condyle (medial, lateral or trochlea), caused by acute or repetitive trauma, in patients who have had an inadequate response to a prior arthroscopic or other surgical repair procedure (e.g., debridement, microfracture, drilling/abrasion arthroplasty, or osteochondral allograft/autograft).

CARTICEL should only be used in conjunction with debridement, placement of a periosteal flap and rehabilitation. The independent contributions of the autologous cultured chondrocytes and other components of the therapy to outcome are unknown.

CARTICEL is not indicated for the treatment of cartilage damage associated with generalized osteoarthritis.

CARTICEL is not recommended for patients with total meniscectomy unless surgically reconstructed prior to or concurrent with CARTICEL implantation.

Important Safety Information

CARTICEL should not be used in patients with a known history of hypersensitivity to gentamicin, other aminoglycosides or materials of bovine origin.

It should not be used in patients who have previously had cancer in the bones, cartilage, fat or muscle of the treated limb.

Pre-existing conditions, including meniscal tears, joint instability, or malalignment should be assessed and treated prior to or concurrent with CARTICEL implantation.

CARTICEL is not routinely tested for transmissible infectious diseases and may transmit disease to the healthcare provider handling CARTICEL.

Use of CARTICEL in children, patients over age 65, or in joints other than the knee has not yet been assessed.

The occurrence of subsequent surgical procedures (SSPs), primarily arthroscopy, following CARTICEL implantation is common. In the Study of the Treatment of Articular Repair (STAR), forty-nine percent (49%) of patients underwent an SSP on the treated knee, irrespective of their relationship to CARTICEL, during the 4-year follow up. The most common serious adverse events (≥5% of patients), derived from STAR, include arthrofibrosis/joint adhesions, graft overgrowth, chondromalacia or chondrosis, cartilage injury, graft complication, meniscal lesion, graft delamination, and osteoarthritis.

For more information on CARTICEL, please see the Package Insert (PDF).

Contact CARTICEL

For reimbursement questions, contact a Carticel Care^® Coordinator at 800-453-6948, Option #2.

For all other questions, contact a Genzyme representative at 800-453-6948, Option #1.

Helpful Resources

Read more about patients' experiences with CARTICEL Implantations.

View Case Studies