Frequently Asked Questions
What is CARTICEL?
Am I a candidate for CARTICEL even if I’ve undergone other treatments for knee pain?
I am 50 years old. Will CARTICEL work for me?
How long does it take to grow the cells?
What should I expect following my surgery?
Will I need physical therapy following this surgery?
When does physical therapy start?
What is a CPM machine?
When can I start playing sports again?
Is CARTICEL safe? Will my insurance pay for CARTICEL?
Can any surgeon treat me with CARTICEL?
What is CARTICEL?
CARTICEL is a biologic product used to repair articular cartilage injuries in adults who have not responded to a prior arthroscopic or other surgical repair procedure. It uses your body’s own cultured cells to form new hyaline-like cartilage in your knee following a surgical procedure called autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI). CARTICEL is the name of the cells that are grown from the samples (or biopsy) taken from your knee. CARTICEL poses little risk of disease transmission to you since it comes from your own tissue. CARTICEL is not indicated for the treatment of cartilage damage associated with generalized osteoarthritis.
Am I a candidate for CARTICEL even if I’ve undergone other treatments for knee pain?
Yes, CARTICEL is indicated for patients who have had an inadequate response to a prior surgical repair procedure. If you are still experiencing pain and swelling in your knee, and you are limiting your daily activities, you may be a candidate for CARTICEL. Talk to an orthopedic surgeon specifically trained in the CARTICEL implantation procedure (autologous chondrocyte implantation [ACI]) to find out.
Am I too old for CARTICEL to work for me?
There is no age limit with CARTICEL. However, CARTICEL has not been tested in children or in patients over age 65, and CARTICEL is not indicated for treating osteoarthritis.
How long does it take to grow the cells?
After your biopsy is taken, your cells are sent to Genzyme for processing. It remains stored for up to two years or until you and your surgeon decide to go forward with the implantation procedure. Once your surgery is scheduled, Carticel Care will work with your surgeon to ensure your cells are ready in time for your surgery.
What should I expect following my surgery?
For the first few days, it may be hard for you to move around and you will experience some pain, which medication may help to control.
Will I need physical therapy following this surgery?
Yes, you will need to follow a rehabilitation program; your doctor and physical therapist will design a program for you based on the size, location, and severity of your cartilage injury.
When does physical therapy start?
Depending on your cartilage injury, you will begin using a CPM (continuous passive motion) machine within 6-24 hours of surgery. Additional therapy programs vary from patient to patient.
What is a CPM machine?
The CPM (continuous passive motion) machine allows the knee to move without engaging muscles. During recovery, using a CPM machine is important as it provides a favorable environment for the cells to grow, as well as reducing the likelihood of the knee joint becoming stiff. Studies have shown that using CPM following articular cartilage repair improves patient outcomes.1
When can I start playing sports again?
You and your doctor will decide when you are ready to return to sports. Depending on the size and location of your cartilage injury and your rehabilitation, you may resume low impact activity such as swimming, cycling, and skating as early as 6 months following treatment. You may perform high impact sports such as jogging, running, and aerobics at 8-9 months for smaller injuries or 9-12 months for larger injuries. High impact pivoting sports such as basketball, football, baseball or tennis may compromise the durability of the repair and should generally not occur until 12-18 months post-treatment after discussing with your doctor. For more information, please refer to the rehabilitation page. Individual results may vary depending on what specific sport you are contemplating playing. Not all patients return to full activity.
Is CARTICEL safe?
CARTICEL poses little risk of disease transmission to you since it comes from your own tissue. As with any surgical procedure, there are important safety considerations to keep in mind. Complications after surgery, such as symptoms of catching, locking, and pain, can sometimes occur. Your doctor may need to perform another surgical procedure, most often arthroscopic in nature, to remedy any issues. Subsequent procedures are common, occurring in nearly half of patients.
Will my insurance pay for CARTICEL?
Most insurance plans cover the cost of CARTICEL. Check with your plan administrator or call 800-453-6948, Option #2, to speak with a Carticel Care® Coordinator who can help you manage the approval process.
Can any surgeon treat me with CARTICEL?
Only surgeons specially trained in the implantation technique may perform the procedure. Find a CARTICEL surgeon in your area using our surgeon locator tool.
1. Salter RB. The biological concept of continuous passive motion of synovial joints: The first 18 years of basic research and its clinical application. In: Ewing JW, ed. Articular Cartilage and Knee Joint Function. New York, NY: Raven Press; 1990.