if i have an injury to my joint surface do i have to have carticel?

No. Carticel was created for injuries that are not applicable to other treatment options. Many injuries are too large for other options. Lesions greater than approximately 1.5 X 1.5 cm are too large for many other treatments currently available and may best be treated by Carticel. Further, there are certain areas of the knee such as the notch (trochlea) or the kneecap (patella) of the knee where the contours may prohibit other options.