Damaged cartilage in the knee can make everyday movement painful. Whether the damage comes from a sports injury, years of wear and tear, or early arthritis, worn cartilage does not heal well on its own. The discomfort, swelling, and stiffness can keep you from the activities you love.
In the past, many patients were told to live with the pain until the knee became bad enough for a full replacement. Today, selected patients may have another option.
Dr. Scott Sigman believes that preserving the native knee whenever possible is one of the most important goals in modern orthopaedic surgery. Rather than waiting until arthritis progresses to the point that knee replacement becomes necessary, advanced cartilage restoration techniques such as the CARTIHEAL AGILI-C implant may help selected patients repair damaged cartilage, relieve pain, and remain active for years to come.
What is the CARTIHEAL AGILI-C Implant?
AGILI-C is a small implant scaffold made from calcium carbonate, a natural material your body recognizes and works well with. Rather than simply patching over the problem, the implant is placed directly into the area of damaged cartilage and bone, where it acts as a scaffold for new tissue to grow into.
As healing progresses, your body gradually replaces the scaffold with its own new cartilage and bone. Over a period of roughly 12 to 18 months, the implant is fully absorbed, while the healthy tissue it helped create stays behind. The goal is a knee that is rebuilt with your own living tissue rather than covered by permanent hardware.
Dr. Sigman’s Approach to Joint Preservation
Every cartilage injury is unique. Treatment decisions should consider not only the cartilage defect itself, but also knee alignment, ligament stability, meniscal integrity, activity level, age, overall health, and the patient’s long-term goals.
Dr. Sigman develops an individualized treatment plan designed to preserve the natural joint whenever possible and help patients return safely to the activities they enjoy. Depending on the patient and the size and location of the cartilage defect, he may also consider advanced biologic techniques designed to optimize the healing environment.
When is cartilage repair with AGILI-C recommended?
Cartilage is the smooth, cushioning surface that allows the bones of the knee to glide against one another. When it becomes worn or damaged, the joint can feel painful, stiff, swollen, or unstable. Cartilage damage can worsen over time because cartilage has a limited ability to repair itself.
Dr. Sigman may recommend the AGILI-C implant for patients who have cartilage or combined cartilage-and-bone damage in the knee, including selected cases related to mild or moderate arthritis. It can be especially beneficial for active individuals who are dealing with persistent knee pain but are not ready for a total knee replacement.
The best way to know whether this treatment is a good fit is a thorough evaluation with a qualified specialist. Dr. Sigman will examine your knee, review your imaging and overall health, and talk through your goals before recommending a plan.
Who may not be a candidate?
AGILI-C is not right for every patient. Patients with certain conditions may be better served by other treatments, including partial or total knee replacement, alignment correction, ligament reconstruction, meniscus treatment, physical therapy, injections, or other nonoperative care.
Patients who may not be ideal candidates include those with:
- Advanced bone-on-bone arthritis
- Severe knee malalignment
- Significant ligament instability
- Major meniscus deficiency
- Uncontrolled inflammatory arthritis
- Active infection or other health conditions that may interfere with healing
What happens during the procedure?
The AGILI-C implant is placed during a surgical procedure performed by Dr. Sigman. After making an incision at the knee, he carefully removes the damaged cartilage and prepares a space for the implant within the affected area of the joint.
The implant is then set into place, positioned just below the surrounding joint surface so that it sits flush with your natural anatomy. Once in position, the scaffold begins serving as a foundation for healing. In the weeks and months that follow, your body migrates new cells into the scaffold and starts building fresh cartilage and bone, eventually replacing the implant with your own tissue.
What are the benefits of the AGILI-C implant?
For the right candidate, cartilage repair with AGILI-C offers several meaningful advantages compared with traditional cartilage procedures:
- Less pain and improved function – Clinical studies have demonstrated meaningful improvements in pain, knee function, and quality of life compared with standard surgical treatment.
- A more durable biologic repair – Because the implant is replaced by your own cartilage and bone, the repair is built from living tissue rather than a temporary patch.
- Joint preservation – AGILI-C is designed to treat cartilage damage earlier in the disease process while preserving your natural knee.
- May delay knee replacement – For appropriately selected patients, restoring cartilage earlier may postpone the need for more extensive surgery down the road.
- Lower chance of additional surgery – In clinical research, patients treated with AGILI-C were less likely to need a knee replacement or realignment procedure in the years following treatment.
Source: Smith+Nephew patient education information for the CARTIHEAL AGILI-C Cartilage Repair Implant.
What is recovery like?
Recovery after AGILI-C is gradual because your body is working to rebuild the joint. Dr. Sigman and his team will guide you through a rehabilitation program designed to support healing while protecting the new repair. Physical therapy plays an important role, and your activity level will be advanced over time as the new tissue matures.
Every patient heals at their own pace. Your specific recovery plan will depend on the size and location of the cartilage defect, any additional procedures performed, and your individual health and activity goals. Dr. Sigman will provide detailed instructions and monitor your progress closely so you can return to activity safely.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does AGILI-C last?
The implant gradually dissolves over approximately 12 to 18 months while your body replaces it with living bone and cartilage. The goal is to leave behind healthy tissue created by your own body.
Is AGILI-C better than microfracture?
For appropriate patients, clinical studies have shown superior pain relief, function, and durability compared with standard surgical treatment. Dr. Sigman will determine whether AGILI-C, microfracture, another cartilage procedure, or a different treatment is best for your knee.
Can AGILI-C treat arthritis?
AGILI-C may be appropriate for selected patients with focal cartilage defects and certain cases of mild to moderate arthritis. It is generally not intended for advanced bone-on-bone arthritis.
How long before I can return to sports or exercise?
Most patients require several months of rehabilitation. Return to sports or higher-level exercise depends on the size and location of the repair, the demands of the activity, and how the knee responds during recovery.
Will I need physical therapy?
Yes. Physical therapy is an important part of protecting the repair, restoring motion and strength, and helping you progress safely back to activity.
Cartilage Repair with Dr. Scott Sigman
Dr. Scott Sigman is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine, with more than 20 years of experience caring for athletes and active patients with knee and shoulder conditions. He has served as Team Physician for the U.S. Ski Jump Team and UMass Lowell, and completed his sports medicine fellowship at the renowned Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic, where he helped care for professional teams including the Los Angeles Lakers, Dodgers, Angels, Kings, and Galaxy.
Recognized as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor and a Boston Magazine Top Doctor, Dr. Sigman is committed to staying at the forefront of orthopaedic innovation. Advanced cartilage restoration treatments like the AGILI-C implant reflect his ongoing dedication to giving patients thoughtful, individualized, joint-preserving options that promote natural healing and a more comfortable return to the activities they enjoy.
Schedule a Consultation for Cartilage Repair in North Chelmsford, MA
If you are living with knee pain and want to learn whether the CARTIHEAL AGILI-C implant is right for you, Dr. Sigman and his team would be glad to help. Please contact our office at (978) 454-0706 to schedule a consultation and find out if you are a candidate for this advanced cartilage repair procedure.