ChondroFiller®liquidPatient and professional information

Professional FAQ

Questions UK clinicians ask about ChondroFiller.

Short answers with their sources, for clinicians weighing up ChondroFiller® liquid. Each answer links to the page that covers it in full.

Product informationEvidence
Two clinicians at a consulting desk reviewing a printed MRI report together

Common questions

What clinics ask before a first case.

What is ChondroFiller?
A cell-free, two-component type I collagen matrix, as described in the published literature, supplied as a collagen solution and a neutralising solution that are mixed through an adapter at the point of use and form a stable gel in the prepared defect within minutes.1,2
What are the indications?
Grade III to IV cartilage damage in the knee, hip, shoulder, ankle or the small joints of the hand, for defects up to 3 cm², per the manufacturer’s product page.3
What are the contraindications?
Contraindications are listed in the instructions for use supplied with each pack. Known hypersensitivity to collagen is a contraindication.4,5
Is injection without arthroscopy described by the manufacturer?
For the thumb-base joint, yes: the manufacturer describes a single ultrasound-guided intra-articular injection for rhizarthrosis, and a peer-reviewed series of 64 patients reports outcomes to 24 months. For other joints, the manufacturer’s technique is application during arthroscopic or minimally open surgery; injection without arthroscopy in those joints, including the ankle conference data, is outside what the manufacturer describes. A clinician may use a device outside its instructions on their own clinical judgement; MHRA guidance on off-label use of medical devices asks them to document the reasons, explain the off-label use during consent and record it.11,12,13
What does the published evidence show?
Published evidence is mostly small, single-arm or retrospective cohorts and case reports. Knee studies include a 23-patient multicentre trial and a 17-patient prospective study to 12 months. Hip studies include a 26-patient cohort followed 12 to 60 months and a 23-patient retrospective series followed for a mean of 29 months. An ankle series of 21 patients was followed for a mean of 37 months. No shoulder outcome data were found.6,7,8,9,10
What is the safety profile?
The manufacturer states: 'In rare cases, hypersensitivity reactions to collagen such as allergic or inflammatory reactions can occur. There are no known complications caused by the implant of ChondroFiller® liquid.' No adverse events were reported in a multicentre trial of 23 randomised patients, 13 of whom received ChondroFiller.5,6
How is ChondroFiller handled and stored?
ChondroFiller liquid is supplied frozen, and thawed and warmed before use as described in the published technique papers. Storage temperature, shelf life and preparation temperature are specified in the instructions for use supplied with each pack.6,1,4
Is ChondroFiller MHRA approved?
ChondroFiller is listed on the MHRA register of medical devices. Registration is not approval. It is CE marked by the manufacturer and accepted on the Great Britain market under the current transitional arrangements for CE-marked devices.

In more depth

Where each answer is covered in full.

The professional section, page by page.

Product information

Composition, indications, contraindications, handling and storage.

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Surgical technique

Nine steps with the handling window.

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Evidence

Every peer-reviewed study with design, joint, n, follow-up and DOI.

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References

  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 overview brochure. Manufacturer publication, 2024. View source
  3. 3.Meidrix Biomedicals GmbH. ChondroFiller® liquid product page. Meidrix Biomedicals GmbH, 2026. View source
  4. 4.Meidrix Biomedicals GmbH. ChondroFiller® liquid instructions for use. Meidrix Biomedicals GmbH, 2026. View source
  5. 5.Meidrix Biomedicals GmbH. ChondroFiller® liquid patient education leaflet. Manufacturer publication, 2022. View source
  6. 6.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
  7. 7.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
  8. 8.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
  9. 9.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
  10. 10.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
  11. 11.Meidrix Biomedicals GmbH. ChondroFiller® liquid: treatment for rhizarthrosis (F02EN/V002). Manufacturer publication, 2026. View source
  12. 12.Corain M, Faccioli N, Lavagnolo U. The Use of Collagen-Based Filler for Trapeziometacarpal Osteoarthritis: Long-Term Follow-Up and Future Applications. Cartilage, 17(3):467-474, 2025. View DOI
  13. 13.Verma T, Lee P, Demirel S, Kılıç EI, Çelik AB, Korkusuz F. Clinical Outcomes Following Ultrasound-Guided ChondroFiller Injection for Ankle Cartilage Defects. 8th ICRS Summit 2026, Porto (e-poster, accepted for presentation), 2026. View source

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