Cartilage regeneration
NanoACi®
Cartilage damage · knee, hip, shoulder or ankle · single session
A non-arthroscopic Seed, Soil and Signal pathway using an auricular-cartilage micrograft, collagen scaffold and platelet-rich fibrin.
Cartilage and joint preservation · 66 Harley Street
Keep your own joint. Avoid or delay replacement.
Specialist diagnosis first, then the treatment that fits: injection, repair, regeneration, or surgery only when the joint needs it. Led by Professor Paul Lee.
Verified patient ratings
Start with your joint
Choose the joint that is affected
Choose a joint to see every option we offer for it, from a single injection to surgery, and the problems each one is for. You do not need a diagnosis to start.
Knee33Arthritis, Meniscus tear, Cartilage damage, Kneecap pain, ACL injury
Hip19Arthritis, Labrum tear, Impingement, Groin pain
Shoulder21Rotator cuff, Frozen shoulder, Instability, Arthritis
Ankle22Arthritis, Instability, Cartilage damage
Wrist17Arthritis, TFCC tear, Ligament injury
Hand18Thumb arthritis, Trigger finger, Finger joint pain
Foot17Big toe arthritis, Plantar fasciitis, Cartilage damage
Elbow19Tennis elbow, Arthritis, Ligament injury
Already know the treatment?NanoACiChondroFillerArthrosamidMytocel MSKCartiHealACL repairChondroFiller vs ArthrosamidAll treatments
Been told you need a joint replacement?
There may be options worth exploring first. A free call with our patient team is the fastest way to find out whether you are a candidate.
Already know the name?
The treatments patients ask about most
These treatments solve different problems. Some are image-guided injections; others repair structural damage through surgery. Your diagnosis and scans, not the best-known treatment name, determine the right path.
No operation
Non-surgical treatments
Collagen scaffold injection
ChondroFiller®
A focal cartilage defect · one injection · no operation
An injectable, cell-free type-I collagen scaffold for selected focal cartilage defects.
Knee osteoarthritis
Arthrosamid®
Knee osteoarthritis · single injection · no operation
A single-dose polyacrylamide hydrogel injection used to treat symptoms of knee osteoarthritis.
Autologous micrograft therapy
Mytocel MSK
Earlier joint wear · your own cells · single session
A regenerative injection using your own cells, prepared chair-side into living micrografts and delivered in a single session.
Operation required
Surgical treatments
Surgery is considered when a structural problem needs to be repaired, restored or replaced, not simply because pain has persisted.
Cartilage surgery · now available
CartiHeal
Knee cartilage and bone defect · one operation
A single-stage biphasic scaffold implanted into selected knee cartilage and underlying bone defects.
STARR · tissue-preserving surgery
ACL repair
A recent ACL tear · keeps your own ligament
Repair of a suitable recently torn ACL while preserving the patient’s own ligament rather than taking a tendon graft.
Knee preservation surgery
Meniscus repair
A repairable meniscus tear · keyhole surgery
Keyhole repair for selected meniscus tears where preserving the knee’s natural shock absorber remains possible.
Founder & Surgical Director
Care led by Prof Paul Lee
MBBch, FRCS (Tr & Orth), PhD · GMC 6115197
Internationally recognised cartilage surgeon, regenerative medicine doctor, and medical engineer. Founder of London Cartilage Clinic, MSK Doctors, and The Keep Clinic. Honorary Professor at the University of Lincoln, Visiting Professor at the University of Chester, Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh Ambassador, and Founding President of the International Association of Regenerative Medicine.
2026 · BOA
Robert Jones Medal & Association Prize
International leadership
Founding President, IAMRegen
Cartilage education
ICRS Teaching Centre of Excellence
Featured in
What patients say
Real stories, real patients
Meet the people behind the treatment journeys. Watch a short patient film, see what a clinic visit involves, and explore the next step that interests you.
NanoACi
Rahul’s treatment and recovery journey
Meet Rahul and follow his visit, from treatment through to recovery support at the clinic.
Explore NanoACi suitabilityOne person’s experience. Treatment and recovery vary.
Verified patient reviews · 5.0 from 128 on Doctify
“I had ACL surgery a few months ago and was really worried about the recovery process. A friend recommended Professor Lee and I am so glad I followed her advice. The surgery was successful, and I recovered much faster than I expected.”
Private patient
Verified
“Thank you, Professor, for reviewing all of my notes and going over the scans with me. I had consulted five private orthopaedic specialists, but none picked up on my knee plica. I am very grateful for your time and expertise.”
Private patient
Verified
“I cannot believe the incredible improvement in my knee pain since I had a meniscus repair with biological scaffolding. Professor Lee has been amazing throughout the entire process.”
Private patient
Verified
“My doctor recommended Professor Lee's meniscus repair with cells. The treatment has been very effective in reducing my pain and improving my mobility. I would highly recommend.”
Private patient
Verified
What happens next
Four steps from first call to treatment
You do not need to know which treatment is right before you get in touch. Start with a free call, or book straight in with Professor Lee if you already have scans.
- 1
Free discovery call
Around 30 minutes with our patient team by phone or video. No card, no commitment. It is not a medical consultation.
- 2
Consultation and scan review
Professor Lee reviews your symptoms, imaging and goals in one appointment. Imaging is arranged if you need it.
- 3
Your options and costs
A clear route across preserve, repair, regenerate or replace, with guide prices before you decide anything.
- 4
Treatment and follow-up
Many treatments are a same-day visit. Recovery support and review afterwards, adapted as you progress.
Preserve. Repair. Regenerate. Replace.
Every option we offer sits in one of four approaches. Replacement is the last, not the first.
- PreserveProtect what you still have and manage arthritis without an operation.
- RepairFix a torn meniscus, ligament or kneecap problem while repair is still possible.
- RegenerateRebuild damaged cartilage with biological treatments, several only available here.
- ReplaceReplacement when nothing else will do, never as the first answer.
Professor Lee's regenerative framework
RegenRepair™
Seed. Soil. Signal.
Start with the tissue and its mechanical job—not a generic injection. RegenRepair™ combines patient-derived biology, a collagen scaffold and a biological signal in tissue-specific pathways for cartilage, meniscus, tendon and ligament damage.
Meet the team
Looking for a specialist opinion?
Consult with our team to discuss the best treatment path for your condition.
Ready to take the next step?
Get clarity on your options
A free discovery call with the patient team is the fastest way to understand what is possible for your joint, without travelling, paying or waiting. Already have scans? Book straight in with Professor Lee.
London Cartilage Clinic
Latest Insights
Clinical updates, cartilage treatment guidance, and recovery-focused articles from our specialist team.
ChondroFiller / Liquid Cartilage
Do You Need a Brace or Crutches After a ChondroFiller Injection?
Searched ChondroFiller recovery and found a 48-hour brace and weeks on crutches? That is the surgical implant. After the ultrasound-guided injection there is no brace and no crutches, unless your medical team specifies otherwise, and a six-week graded return.
Knee OA
Retatrutide and Knee Osteoarthritis Pain: What the Trial Shows
In the TRIUMPH-1 trial, retatrutide reduced knee osteoarthritis pain in people with obesity. Professor Paul Lee sets out what the result does not show and why metabolic health may matter for joint preservation.
ChondroFiller / Liquid Cartilage
ChondroFiller Injection for Knee Cartilage Repair
ChondroFiller is a collagen scaffold that gels on injection and recruits the body's progenitor cells, regenerating hyaline cartilage; published data show average functional gains of 30 points with reoperation rates of 3–8% across 19,000 procedures.