We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Procedures

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Carticel®?

By Debra Durkee
Updated: Mar 03, 2024
Views: 6,428
Share

Carticel® is the name of a group of cells grown in a laboratory from samples and used to repair the cartilage in the knees of a patient. This procedure is usually done after other options have failed, and can be successful in treating damage from a number of causes. As the cells need to be grown after they are taken from the patient's body, the process used to create Carticel® can take up to several weeks.

The process by which Carticel® is implanted into a patient's knee to repair damaged cartilage is called autologous chrondrocyte implantation (ACI). Those who are candidates for the procedure include individuals who have had their knees damaged by sudden injuries or trauma, as well as those who have suffered damage due to repetitive actions that have worn away the cartilage between the bones of the knee. Patients who have tried other forms of knee surgery that have not worked are often candidates for this procedure.

Once an individual is found to be a suitable candidate for ACI, a biopsy of the cartilage in the knee is taken, and cells are removed from a healthy area of the knee. These cells are then sent to a lab, where they are grown in a culture. This process can take several weeks to complete, and the end result is cartilage cells grown from the person's own tissues. Cells can be stored for several years and still remain a viable product. These cells are called Carticel®, and once there is enough material to fix the knee, it is inserted into the injured joint.

As Carticel® is grown from a person's own cells, there is little to no chance that the implantation will be rejected; the body's immune system typically recognizes this new material as being a part of the body. There is also a greatly decreased risk of the transmission of disease through the tissues. Once the Carticel® is inserted into the knee, it will be incorporated into the existing tissue to fill in any gaps or holes. Physical therapy is often required to get the individual accustomed to the new tissue, and some patients may need to have more than one procedure done.

Carticel® is a versatile therapy that can be used for adults with a number of injuries. There are two different kinds of cartilage in the knee, and Carticel® generally replaces the articular cartilage. This is the structure that covers the ends of the bones in the knee, allowing them to move against each other without grinding. It has not been successful in treating individuals with cartilage damage associated with osteoarthritis.

Share
The Health Board is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.thehealthboard.com/what-is-carticel.htm
Copy this link
The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.