ChondroFiller®liquidSupplied in the UK by Actomed

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about ChondroFiller.

Answers to common questions about ChondroFiller® liquid, in plain English.

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A patient seated in a consultation room looking at a knee MRI on a wall screen

Common questions

Answers to what people ask before contacting a clinic.

What is ChondroFiller?
ChondroFiller is a collagen-based implant made from purified animal collagen, as described in the published literature. It is placed into a prepared cartilage defect during keyhole surgery.1,2
Is ChondroFiller surgery?
Yes. ChondroFiller is placed into a prepared cartilage defect during keyhole (arthroscopic) surgery, under direct vision.3
How is it put in?
ChondroFiller is placed into a prepared cartilage defect during keyhole (arthroscopic) surgery, under direct vision. The mixed matrix is applied through the applicator into the defect, where it sets into a gel within minutes.3
Does it hurt?
Every patient experiences keyhole surgery differently. Your surgical team manages pain as part of routine aftercare, and your surgeon can tell you what to expect for your own procedure.
What does the evidence show?
Published research on ChondroFiller consists of small studies, mostly single-arm, followed for between one and five years, with two series extending to five years or more. Results vary between studies and no large UK trial has been published.4,5,6,7,8
How long does it last?
The published studies followed patients for between one and five years, with two series extending to five years or more. Results vary between studies and no large UK trial has been published, so how long it lasts beyond that is not established.4,5,6,7,8
What are the risks?
The manufacturer states: 'In rare cases, hypersensitivity reactions to collagen such as allergic or inflammatory reactions can occur.' No adverse events were reported in the published multicentre trial of 23 randomised patients, 13 of whom received ChondroFiller.2,8
Will it work for me, and who decides?
No one can promise that. The published studies are small and outcomes vary between people. Whether ChondroFiller suits you is decided by the surgeon who examines you and looks at your scans; Actomed does not assess or treat patients.4,5,6,7,8
Is ChondroFiller available on the NHS?
ChondroFiller is supplied to private clinics in the UK. Ask your clinic or GP about NHS options for your joint.
How much does it cost?
Clinics set their own fees; ask the clinic.
Is ChondroFiller approved?
Listed on the MHRA register of medical devices. Registration is not approval. CE marked by the manufacturer; accepted on the Great Britain market under the current transitional arrangements for CE-marked devices. Current instructions for use remain authoritative.
Who makes ChondroFiller and who supplies it in the UK?
ChondroFiller is manufactured by Meidrix Biomedicals GmbH, Esslingen, Germany. In the UK it is supplied to clinics, with training, by Actomed.
Is Actomed connected to the clinics that offer ChondroFiller?
Yes. Actomed shares ownership with London Cartilage Clinic, MSK Doctors and Lincolnshire Knee Clinic, the clinic group listed in the clinic finder.
What if I want a second opinion?
You can ask to be seen at a different clinic, including one that does not offer ChondroFiller, or ask your GP to refer you elsewhere.
What if I have a problem after treatment?
Contact the clinic that treated you. Problems with the product itself can also be reported to Actomed, the UK Responsible Person.

Studies mentioned on this page

  1. 1.Perez-Carro L, Mendoza Alejo PR, Gutierrez Castanedo G, Menendez Solana G, Fernandez Divar JA, Galindo Rubin P, Alfonso Fernandez A. Hip Chondral Defects: Arthroscopic Treatment With the Needle and Curette Technique and ChondroFiller. Arthroscopy Techniques, 10(7):e1669-e1675, 2021. View DOI
  2. 2.Meidrix Biomedicals GmbH. ChondroFiller® liquid patient education leaflet. Manufacturer publication, 2022. View source
  3. 3.Meidrix Biomedicals GmbH. ChondroFiller® liquid overview brochure. Manufacturer publication, 2024. View source
  4. 4.Mazek J, Gnatowski M, Salas AP, O’Donnell JM, Domżalski M, Radzimowski J. Arthroscopic utilization of ChondroFiller gel for the treatment of hip articular cartilage defects: a cohort study with 12- to 60-month follow-up. Journal of Hip Preservation Surgery, 8(1):22, 2021. View DOI
  5. 5.Simeonov E. Implantation of ChondroFiller Liquid as a Scaffold Material for the Treatment of Chondral Lesions of the Knee Joint. Journal of IMAB, 30(4):5936-5941, 2024. View DOI
  6. 6.De Lucas Villarrubia JC, Méndez Alonso MÁ, Sanz Pérez MI, Trell Lesmes F, Panadero Tapia A. Acellular Matrix-Induced Chondrogenesis Technique Improves the Results of Chondral Lesions Associated with Femoroacetabular Impingement. Arthroscopy, 2021. View DOI
  7. 7.Gatti SD, Vermorel PH, Vega J, Batista J, Guelfi M. Clinical and functional outcomes of arthroscopic autologous collagen-induced chondrogenesis (ACIC) for osteochondral lesions of the talus: A retrospective case series. Journal of Experimental Orthopaedics, 13(1):e70642, 2026. View DOI
  8. 8.Schneider U. Controlled, randomized multicenter study to compare compatibility and safety of ChondroFiller liquid (cell free 2-component collagen gel) with microfracturing of patients with focal cartilage defects of the knee joint. Video Journal of Orthopedics Surgery, 1:1-8, 2016. View DOI
  9. 9.Meidrix Biomedicals GmbH. ChondroFiller® liquid instructions for use. Meidrix Biomedicals GmbH, 2026. View source

Find a clinic that offers ChondroFiller

Actomed supplies ChondroFiller and trains clinic teams to use it. Actomed does not assess or treat patients, does not recommend one clinic over another, and being seen by a clinic is not a decision to go ahead with treatment.

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