Core Insights - The American Medical Association (AMA) has established a Category I Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code for the CARTIHEAL AGILI-C Cartilage Repair Implant, effective January 1, 2027, highlighting its clinical significance and adoption [1][2]. Clinical Impact - The CARTIHEAL Implant has shown an 87% reduction in the relative risk of total knee arthroplasty or osteotomy at 4 years compared to traditional methods like microfracture or debridement, based on data from a multicenter randomized controlled trial [4]. - This implant provides an additional treatment option for patients with mild to moderate osteoarthritis (OA), allowing for earlier intervention in their treatment journey [4]. Reimbursement and Access - The new CPT code will streamline reimbursement processes for healthcare providers and payers, facilitating the integration of the CARTIHEAL Implant into standard clinical practice [5]. - The AMA's recognition of the procedure's clinical efficacy and safety supports broader access to this technology, which addresses an unmet need in cartilage repair [5][6]. Product Overview - The CARTIHEAL Implant is a commercially available solution in the U.S. and is composed of aragonite, a naturally occurring calcium carbonate, functioning as a biphasic scaffold for cartilage repair and restoration of subchondral bone [7]. - Smith+Nephew, the company behind the CARTIHEAL Implant, generated annual sales of $5.8 billion in 2024 and operates in around 100 countries [11].

Core Insights - Smith+Nephew's CARTIHEAL AGILI-C Cartilage Repair Implant shows promising results in treating knee cartilage defects, outperforming the current surgical standard of care in a recent multicenter randomized controlled trial [1][3][4] Group 1: Product Performance - The CARTIHEAL Implant has received FDA approval and breakthrough designation, indicating its potential to transform the cartilage repair landscape [3][4] - Patients treated with the CARTIHEAL AGILI-C Implant reported significantly better knee pain relief and quality of life improvements over a 4-year period [6] - The implant demonstrated an 87% reduction in the risk of subsequent total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and osteotomy compared to the surgical standard of care, which is a critical consideration for patients with mild to moderate osteoarthritis [4][6] Group 2: Clinical Outcomes - The implant effectively treated a diverse group of patients across various demographics, including age and lesion size, while delivering clinically meaningful results [6] - Professor Elizaveta Kon emphasized the importance of inclusivity in study design, noting that the CARTIHEAL Implant has shown superior performance across genders and lesion locations [4] - The technology is particularly beneficial for patients seeking procedures that allow them to maintain their daily activities, such as playing with children and grandchildren [4] Group 3: Industry Engagement - The CARTIHEAL Implant will be featured at the Arthroscopy Association of North America Annual Meeting (AANA 2025), highlighting its significance in the medical community [1][5] - A lunch symposium will focus on the use of the CARTIHEAL Implant for treating various cartilage pathologies, further promoting its clinical applications [4]

The CARTIHEAL Implant will be featured at the Arthroscopy Association of North America Annual Meeting (AANA 2025) this week Smith+Nephew (LSE:SN, NYSE:SNN), the global medical technology company, today announces encouraging results for its CARTIHEAL AGILI-C Cartilage Repair Implant from a recent multicentre randomised controlled trial (RCT) treating knee cartilage defects. When compared to the current surgical standard of care,* the implant demonstrated: Superior pain relief: Patients treated with the CART ...