Before Receiving The Implant

In deciding to use a product or procedure, the risks must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For autologous cultured chondrocyte implantation, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to gentamicin (e.g., Garamycin), an antibiotic used to treat certain infections. Also tell your doctor if you are allergic to beef or other products obtained from cows.

Pregnancy—Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you think you might be pregnant. It is not likely that the implanted chondrocytes would affect the fetus. However, you should discuss with your doctor whether you should be having this procedure, and having to use crutches for several weeks afterward, while you are pregnant.

Breast-feeding—It is not likely that the transplanted chondrocytes would affect a nursing baby. However, whether you should be having the procedure at this time, when you are busy caring for an infant, should be discussed with your doctor.

Children—Implantation of autologous cultured chondrocytes has been done only in adults, and there is no information about the effects of this procedure in children.

Older adults—Implantation of autologous cultured chondrocytes has not been studied specifically in older people. There is no information comparing use of this procedure in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Other medical problems—The presence of other medical problems may affect whether you should receive implantation of autologous cultured chondrocytes. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Cancer near the injured knee—It is not known whether removing and implanting the chondrocyte cells can affect the growth or spread of a nearby cancer