**UNITED
      STATES**


**SECURITIES
      AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION**


**Washington,
      D.C. 20549**





**Form
      10-Q**





**x**  **QUARTERLY
      REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
      1934**




For
      the
      quarterly period ended March 31, 2007





**OR**





**o**  **TRANSITION
      REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
      1934**




For
      the
      transition period from ________ to ________





Commission
      File Number: 0-27422





**ArthroCare
      Corporation**


*(Exact
      name of registrant as specified in its charter)*




**Delaware**
            
            **94-3180312***(State
                of incorporation)*
            
            *(I.R.S.
                Employer Identification No.)*





**7500
      Rialto Blvd., Building Two, Suite 100, Austin, Texas 78735**


*(Address
      of principal executive offices)*





**(512)
      391-3900**


*(Registrant's
      telephone number, including area code)*





Indicate
      by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to
      be
      filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
      the
      preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required
      to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements
      for
      the past 90 days.  Yes  x  No   ̈





Indicate
      by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an
      accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule
      12b-2).




Large
      accelerated filer  x Accelerated
      filer   ̈ Non-accelerated
      filer   ̈





Indicate
      by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule
      12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes   ̈ No  x





The
      number of shares outstanding of the registrant's common stock as of April 20,
      2007 was 27,506,025.













**ARTHROCARE
      CORPORATION**





**Form
      10-Q Quarterly Report**


**For
      the quarter ended March 31, 2007**





**TABLE
      OF CONTENTS**





**Page****PART
                I:**
            
            **Financial
                Information**
            ****Item
                1.
            
            Financial
                StatementsCondensed
                Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2007 and December 31,
                2006
            
            2Condensed
                Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three month periods
                ended
                March 31, 2007 and 2006
            
            3Condensed
                Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three month periods
                ended
                March 31, 2007 and 2006
            
            4Notes
                to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
            
            5Item
                2.
            
            Management’s
                Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
            
            15Item
                3.
            
            Quantitative
                and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
            
            23Item
                4.
            
            Controls
                and Procedures
            
            23


**PART
                II:**
            
            **Other
                Information**
            ****Item
                1.
            
            Legal
                Proceedings
            
            24Item
                1A.
            
            Risk
                Factors
            
            24Item
                2
            
            Unregistered
                Sales of Securities and Use of Proceeds
            
            24Item
                3
            
            Defaults
                Upon Senior Securities
            
            24Item
                4
            
            Submission
                of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
            
            24Item
                5.
            
            Other
                Information
            
            24Item
                6.
            
            Exhibits
            
            24Signatures
            
            25Certifications







**Forward-Looking
      Statements**





*This
      report contains information that may constitute “forward-looking statements.”
Generally, the words “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,”
“project,” “will” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements,
      which generally are not historical in nature.* ** *Our
      forward-looking statements generally relate to our growth strategies, financial
      results, product development, regulatory approvals, competitive strengths,
      the
      scope of our intellectual property rights, and sales efforts.  One must
      carefully consider forward-looking statements and understand that such
      statements involve a variety of risks and uncertainties, known and unknown,
      and
      may be affected by inaccurate assumptions, including, among others, those
      discussed in the sections entitled “Government Regulation”, “* *Patents
      and Proprietary Rights”* *and
“Risk* *Factors* *”
in
      our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006. 
Consequently, no forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual results
      may vary materially.*





*We
      undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, but investors
      are advised to consult any further disclosures by us on this subject in our
      filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, especially on Forms 10-K,
      10-Q, and 8-K (if any), in which we discuss in more detail various important
      factors that could cause actual results to differ from expected or historical
      results. It is not possible to foresee or identify all such factors. As such,
      investors should not consider any list of such factors to be an exhaustive
      statement of all risks, uncertainties or potentially inaccurate
      assumptions.*




1


**PART
      I.    FINANCIAL INFORMATION**




**ITEM
      1.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**





**ARTHROCARE
                CORPORATION**
              **CONDENSED
                CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS**
              **(unaudited)**
              *(in
                thousands, except per share
                data)*




**March
                31,**
            
            **December
                31,****2007**
            
            **2006****ASSETS**Current
                assets:Cash
                and cash equivalents
            
            $
            28,495
            
            $
            15,531Short-term
                investments
            
            
            13,183
            
            
            15,225Accounts
                receivable, net of allowances of $3,028 at 2007 and $2,701 at
                2006
            
            
            61,940
            
            
            61,935Inventories,
                net
            
            
            50,019
            
            
            51,542Deferred
                tax assets
            
            
            14,456
            
            
            13,795Prepaid
                expenses and other current assets
            
            
            3,377
            
            
            5,389Total
                current assets
            
            
            171,470
            
            
            163,417Property
                and equipment, net
            
            
            36,815
            
            
            36,071Related
                party receivables
            
            
            -
            
            
            500Intangible
                assets
            
            
            35,846
            
            
            35,982Goodwill
            
            
            139,684
            
            
            137,831Other
                assets
            
            
            2,502
            
            
            1,245Total
                assets
            
            $
            386,317
            
            $
            375,046**LIABILITIES
                AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY**Current
                liabilities:Accounts
                payable
            
            $
            11,959
            
            $
            12,993Accrued
                liabilities
            
            
            26,280
            
            
            26,347Accrued
                compensation
            
            
            7,044
            
            
            7,906Income
                taxes payable
            
            
            3,327
            
            
            2,427Total
                current liabilities
            
            
            48,610
            
            
            49,673Deferred
                tax liabilities
            
            
            538
            
            
            1,991Other
                non-current liabilities
            
            
            5,928
            
            
            879Total
                liabilities
            
            
            55,076
            
            
            52,543Stockholders'
                equity:Preferred
                stock, par value $ 0.001: Authorized, 5,000 shares;Issued
                and outstanding: none
            
            
            -
            
            
            -Common
                stock, par value $ 0.001: Authorized, 75,000 shares:Issued
                and outstanding, 27,474 shares at 2007 and 27,394 shares at
                2006
            
            
            27
            
            
            27Treasury
                stock: 2,692 shares at 2007 and 2006
            
            
            (41,644
            )
            
            (41,644
            )Additional
                paid-in capital
            
            
            328,672
            
            
            324,823Accumulated
                other comprehensive income
            
            
            1,828
            
            
            1,992Retained
                earnings
            
            
            42,358
            
            
            37,305Total
                stockholders’ equity
            
            
            331,241
            
            
            322,503Total
                liabilities and stockholders’ equity
            
            $
            386,317
            
            $
            375,046





The
      accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated
      financial statements .




2


**ARTHROCARE
      CORPORATION**


**CONDENSED
      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS**


**(unaudited)**


*(in
      thousands, except per share data)*





**Three
                Months Ended**
              **March
                31,****2007**
            
            **2006**RevenuesProduct
                sales
            
            $
            71,001
            
            $
            60,257Royalties,
                fees and other
            
            
            2,742
            
            
            2,224Total
                revenues
            
            
            73,743
            
            
            62,481Cost
                of product sales
            
            
            20,756
            
            
            17,705Gross
                profit
            
            
            52,987
            
            
            44,776Operating
                expensesResearch
                and development
            
            
            6,464
            
            
            6,202Sales
                and marketing
            
            
            29,494
            
            
            21,905General
                and administrative
            
            
            6,180
            
            
            5,061Amortization
                of intangible assets
            
            
            1,911
            
            
            1,822Total
                operating expenses
            
            
            44,049
            
            
            34,990Income
                from operations
            
            
            8,938
            
            
            9,786Interest
                and other income (expense), net
            
            
            330
            
            
            (311
            )Income
                before income tax provision
            
            
            9,268
            
            
            9,475Income
                tax provision
            
            
            2,132
            
            
            2,342Net
                income
            
            $
            7,136
            
            $
            7,133Basic
                net income per share
            
            $
            0.26
            
            $
            0.28Shares
                used in computing basic net income per share
            
            
            27,164
            
            
            25,455Diluted
                net income per share
            
            $
            0.25
            
            $
            0.26Shares
                used in computing diluted net income per share
            
            
            28,177
            
            
            27,107




The
      accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated
      financial statements.




3


**ARTHROCARE
      CORPORATION**


**CONDENSED
      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS**


**(unaudited)**


*(in
      thousands)*





**Three
                Months Ended**
              **March
                31,****2007**
            
            **2006**Cash
                flows from operating activities:Net
                income
            
            $
            7,136
            
            $
            7,133Adjustments
                to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating
                activities:Depreciation
                and amortization
            
            
            5,453
            
            
            4,757Provision
                for doubtful accounts and product returns
            
            
            1,510
            
            
            345Provision
                for inventory reserves
            
            
            915
            
            
            -Excess
                tax benefits from stock-based compensation
            
            
            (176
            )
            
            (2,222
            )Stock-based
                compensation expense
            
            
            2,466
            
            
            2,544Other
            
            
            436
            
            
            (23
            )Changes
                in operating assets and liabilities, net of assets and liabilities
                acquired in business combination:Accounts
                receivable
            
            
            (1,388
            )
            
            (2,728
            )Inventories
            
            
            688
            
            
            (4,526
            )Prepaid
                expenses and other current assets
            
            
            2,025
            
            
            (67
            )Other
                assets
            
            
            (688
            )
            
            76Accounts
                payable
            
            
            (1,100
            )
            
            198Accrued
                and other liabilities
            
            
            (2,794
            )
            
            (3,436
            )Income
                taxes payable
            
            
            1,209
            
            
            1,246Net
                cash provided by operating activities
            
            
            15,692
            
            
            3,297Cash
                flows from investing activities:Purchases
                of property and equipment
            
            
            (4,283
            )
            
            (3,704
            )Payment
                for purchase of Opus, net of cash acquired
            
            
            -
            
            
            (52,404
            )Sales
                or maturities of available for sale securities
            
            
            2,125
            
            
            -Purchases
                of intangible assets
            
            
            (1,795
            )
            
            (784
            )Net
                cash used in investing activities
            
            
            (3,953
            )
            
            (56,892
            )Cash
                flows from financing activities:Proceeds
                from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs
            
            
            143
            
            
            -Proceeds
                from loan from bank
            
            
            -
            
            
            35,000Excess
                tax benefits from stock-based compensation
            
            
            176
            
            
            2,222Proceeds
                from exercise of options to purchase common stock
            
            
            894
            
            
            9,339Net
                cash provided by financing activities
            
            
            1,213
            
            
            46,561Effect
                of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
            
            
            12
            
            
            (3
            )Net
                increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
            
            
            12,964
            
            
            (7,037
            )Cash
                and cash equivalents, beginning of period
            
            
            15,531
            
            
            20,717Cash
                and cash equivalents, end of period
            
            $
            28,495
            
            $
            13,680Supplemental
                disclosure of non-cash investing activities:Issuance
                of common stock to former shareholders of Opus Medical
            
            
            -
            
            $
            5,803





The
      accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated
      financial statements.





4


**ARTHROCARE
        CORPORATION**
 **NOTES
        TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**


**NOTE
      1 - Description of Business**




ArthroCare
      Corporation (“ArthroCare” or the “Company”) was incorporated on April 29, 1993
      and its principal operations commenced in August 1995. The Company designs,
      develops, manufactures and markets medical devices for use in soft-tissue
      surgery. Its products are based on the Company’s patented soft-tissue surgical
      controlled ablation technology, which it calls Coblation technology. Coblation
      technology involves an innovative use of a non-thermal process and has the
      capability of performing at temperatures lower than traditional electrosurgical
      tools. ArthroCare’s strategy includes applying Coblation technology to a broad
      range of soft-tissue surgical markets, including sports medicine, spinal
      surgery, neurosurgery, cosmetic surgery, ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgery,
      gynecology, urology, general surgery and various cardiology applications.
      ArthroCare is a global company with manufacturing facilities in the United
      States and Costa Rica and sales offices in the United States, Europe and
      Australia.




**NOTE
      2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies**




***Basis
      of Presentation***




The
      unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements include the
      accounts of ArthroCare Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All
      significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in
      consolidation.




The
      accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been
      prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the
      United States of America for interim financial information and with the
      instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they
      do
      not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting
      principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete
      financial statements. In the opinion of management, the unaudited interim
      condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting
      of only normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair statement of the
      Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the
      periods presented. These financial statements should be read in conjunction
      with
      the Company’s consolidated financial statements and notes thereto filed with the
      United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) in the Company’s annual
      report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006. Operating results
      for
      the three-month period ended March 31, 2007 are not necessarily indicative
      of
      the results that may be expected for the year ended December 31, 2007.




The
      condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2006 was derived from
      the
      Company’s audited consolidated financial statements as of that date; however,
      the accompanying financial statements do not include all annual disclosures
      required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
      America.




***Revenue
      Recognition and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts***





The
      Company recognizes product revenue in accordance with SEC Staff Accounting
      Bulletin No. 104, *Revenue
      Recognition in Financial Statements* (“SAB
      104”). Under SAB 104, revenue is recognized when there is persuasive evidence of
      an arrangement, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the sales
      price is fixed and determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured.
      Generally, the criteria are met upon shipment of the Company’s products. In
      certain cases, at the customer’s request, the Company will enter into bill and
      hold transactions whereby title and risk of loss transfers to the customer,
      but
      the product does not ship until a specified later date. Revenue on such
      transactions is recognized only after ArthroCare has met all conditions for
      bill
      and hold transactions set forth in SAB 104, specifically that ArthroCare
      has no further performance obligations, that the product is complete and ready
      for shipment, and that a fixed schedule for delivery of the product is set.
      Revenue is reported net of a provision for estimated product
      returns.




The
      Company recognizes license fees and other revenue over the term of the
      associated agreement unless the fee is in exchange for products delivered or
      services performed that represent the culmination of a separate earnings
      process. Royalties are recognized as earned, generally based on the licensees’
product shipments. These items
      are
      classified as royalties, fees and other revenues in the accompanying condensed
      consolidated statements of operations. Amounts billed to customers relating
      to
      shipping and handling costs have also been classified as royalties, fees and
      other revenues and related costs are classified as cost of product sales in
      the
      accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations.




5


**ARTHROCARE
        CORPORATION**
 **NOTES
        TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -
        (Continued)**




The
      Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts receivable based on our
      assessment of the collectibility of customer accounts. The Company regularly
      reviews the allowance, considering such factors as historical collection
      experience, a customer’s current credit-worthiness, customer concentrations, the
      age of the receivable balances, both individually and in the aggregate, and
      general economic conditions that may affect a customer’s ability to pay.




***Use
      of Estimates***




The
      condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity
      with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America,
      using management’s best estimates and judgments where appropriate. These
      estimates and judgments affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities
      and disclosure of the contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the
      financial statements. The estimates and judgments will also affect the reported
      amounts for certain revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual
      results could differ materially from these estimates and judgments.




**NOTE
      3 - Comprehensive Income**




The
      Company’s comprehensive income is included as a component of stockholders’
equity and is composed of (i) net income, (ii) unrealized gains and losses
      on
      investments designated as available-for-sale, including reclassification
      adjustments, and (iii) foreign currency translation adjustments.




The
      following table presents the calculation of comprehensive income (in
      thousands):




**Three
                Months Ended**
              **March
                31,****2007**
            
            **2006**Net
                income
            
            $
            7,136
            
            $
            7,133Net
                unrealized (loss) gain on available-for-sale securities, net of
                tax
            
            
            (2
            )
            
            13Foreign
                currency translation adjustment
            
            
            (162
            )
            
            6Comprehensive
                income
            
            $
            6,972
            
            $
            7,152




6


**ARTHROCARE
        CORPORATION**
 **NOTES
        TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -
        (Continued)**


**NOTE
      4 - Computation of Net Income Per Share**





Basic
      net
      income per share is computed using the weighted-average number of shares of
      common stock outstanding less the weighted-average unvested restricted stock
      outstanding. Diluted net income per share is computed using the weighted-average
      number of shares of common stock outstanding and potential dilutive shares
      of
      common stock.




The
      following is a reconciliation of the numerator (net income) and the denominator
      (number of shares) used in the calculation of basic and diluted net income
      per
      share (in thousands, except per share data):




**Three
                Months Ended**
              **March
                31,****2007**
            
            **2006**Net
                Income
            
            $
            7,136
            
            $
            7,133Basic:Weighted-average
                shares outstanding
            
            
            27,164
            
            
            25,455Basic
                net income per share
            
            $
            0.26
            
            $
            0.28Diluted:Weighted-average
                shares outstanding used in basic calculation
            
            
            27,164
            
            
            25,455Dilutive
                effect of options
            
            
            919
            
            
            1,538Dilutive
                effect of unvested restricted stock
            
            
            94
            
            
            114Weighted-average
                common stock and common stock equivalents
            
            
            28,177
            
            
            27,107Diluted
                net income per share
            
            $
            0.25
            
            $
            0.26Options
                excluded from calculation as their effect would be
                anti-dilutive
            
            
            937
            
            
            258Price
                range of excluded options
            
            $
            36.93
                - $48.56
            
            $
            44.69
                -$48.56




**NOTE
      5 - Inventories**




The
      Company’s inventories consist of the following (in thousands):




**March
                31,**
              **2007**
            
            **December
                31,**
              **2006**Raw
                materials
            
            $
            12,475
            
            $
            12,126Work-in-process
            
            
            4,974
            
            
            4,949Finished
                goods
            
            
            37,075
            
            
            38,60554,524
            
            
            55,680Inventory
                reserves
            
            
            (4,505
            )
            
            (4,138
            )Inventories,
                net
            
            $
            50,019
            
            $
            51,542




7




**ARTHROCARE
        CORPORATION**
 **NOTES
        TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -
        (Continued)**


**NOTE
      6 - Property and Equipment**




The
      following summarizes the Company’s property and equipment (in thousands, except
      lives):




**March
                31,**
            
            **December
                31,**
            
            **Estimated****2007**
            
            **2006**
            
            **Useful
                Life**Controller
                placement
            
            $
            56,279
            
            $
            54,909
            
            
            3-4
                yearsComputer
                equipment and software
            
            
            17,196
            
            
            16,795
            
            
            3-5
                yearsMachinery
                and equipment
            
            
            9,509
            
            
            8,763
            
            
            5
                yearsFurniture,
                fixtures and leasehold improvements
            
            
            6,937
            
            
            6,478
            
            
            5
                years (a)Construction
                in process
            
            
            3,792
            
            
            3,161
            
            
            -Building
                and improvements
            
            
            5,512
            
            
            5,287
            
            
            30
                yearsTooling
                and molds
            
            
            4,382
            
            
            4,153
            
            
            5
                yearsLand
            
            
            745
            
            
            745
            
            
            -$
            104,352
            
            $
            100,291Accumulated
                depreciation
            
            
            (67,537
            )
            
            (64,220
            )Property
                and equipment, net
            
            $
            36,815
            
            $
            36,071





(a)
            The
                estimated useful life for leasehold improvements is the shorter of
                five
                years or the term of the lease.





Depreciation
      expense related to the Company’s property and equipment was $3.5 million and
      $2.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.





**NOTE
      7 - Goodwill and Intangible Assets**





*Goodwill*





During
      the quarter ended March 31, 2007, the Company’s goodwill balance increased by
      approximately $1.9 million. The increase was primarily driven by a $1.7 million
      accrual related to additional consideration for satisfied contractual
      contingencies in connection with the Company’s acquisition of certain assets of
      Applied Therapeutics, Inc. in 2005. As
      of
      March 31, 2007, there were no indications that the Company’s goodwill was
      impaired.





8




**ARTHROCARE
        CORPORATION**
 **NOTES
        TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -
        (Continued)**


*Intangible
      assets with definite lives*





Intangible
      assets are originally recorded at historical cost, in the case of separately
      purchased intangible assets, or at estimated fair value, in the case of assets
      acquired in the purchase of a business, and are subject to amortization.
      Intangible assets consist of the following (in thousands):




**March
                31,**
            
            **December
                31,**
            
            **Estimated****2007**
            
            **2006**
            
            **Useful
                Life**Intellectual
                property rights
            
            $
            29,809
            
            $
            29,420
            
            
            8
                yearsPatents
            
            
            11,700
            
            
            11,700
            
            
            8
                yearsTrade
                name/trademarks
            
            
            4,800
            
            
            4,800
            
            
            7-8
                yearsDistribution/customer
                network
            
            
            5,796
            
            
            5,785
            
            
            5
                yearsOEM
                contractual agreements
            
            
            3,361
            
            
            1,940
            
            
            2-7
                yearsLicensing,
                employment and non-competition agreements
            
            
            1,627
            
            
            1,625
            
            
            1-10
                years57,093
            
            
            55,270Accumulated
                amortization
            
            
            (21,247
            )
            
            (19,288
            )Net
                intangible assets
            
            $
            35,846
            
            $
            35,982





**NOTE
      8 - Accrued Liabilities**





The
      following summarizes the Company’s accrued liabilities (in
      thousands):





**March
                31,**
              **2007**
            
            **December
                31,**
              **2006**Accrued
                liabilities:Accrued
                acquisition costs
            
            $
            16,726
            
            $
            14,992Accrued
                dealer commissions
            
            
            2,083
            
            
            2,816Accrued
                legal fees
            
            
            368
            
            
            3,225Accrued
                professional fees and other
            
            
            7,103
            
            
            5,314$
            26,280
            
            $
            26,347




**NOTE
      9 - Commitments and Contingencies**




*Operating
      Leases*




The
      Company leases most of its facilities and certain equipment under operating
      leases. It recognizes rent expense on a straight-line basis over the lease
      term.
      Rent expense was $1.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 and $0.3
      million for the quarter ended March 31, 2006. There were no significant changes
      to the Company’s future lease commitments during the quarter ended March 31,
      2007.





*Acquisition-related
      Contingent Payments*




Under
      the
      terms of two of the Company's acquisition agreements, the Company may be
      obligated to make additional purchase price payments.




The Applied
      Therapeutics, Inc. (“ATI”) acquisition
      agreement details certain circumstances that require the Company to make an
      additional contingent payment in cash to the shareholders of ATI based on the
      net revenue earned by the Company from the acquired business from February
      1,
      2006 to January 31, 2007 (the “Earnout Period”). The contingent consideration to
      be paid by the Company to the shareholders of ATI is equal to a multiple of
      net
      revenue derived from the sale of ATI products during the Earnout Period, less
      the initial payment of $10.0 million, but will in no event will the contingent
      consideration exceed $15.0 million. As of March 31, 2007, $14.8 million was
      accrued for this additional payment, which is expected to be paid by the Company
      in the second quarter of 2007.




9


**ARTHROCARE
          CORPORATION**
 **NOTES
          TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -
          (Continued)**


On
      January 28, 2004, the Company completed its acquisition of Medical Device
      Alliance Inc. (“MDA”) and its subsidiary, Parallax Medical, Inc. (“Parallax”)
      for a total of $28.7 million, including consideration and acquisition-related
      expenses, net of cash acquired, of which a $1.7 million holdback remained unpaid
      as of March 31, 2007. If the contingency related to the holdback is satisfied,
      the Company will adjust the purchase price of this acquisition for the amount
      of
      contingent consideration paid.




*Litigation*




On
      January 4, 2007, Marvin Duane Lee filed a lawsuit derivatively on behalf of
      ArthroCare Corporation against certain of the Company’s directors, officers and
      employees in the United States District Court, Western District of Texas, Austin
      Division, alleging a violation of federal securities laws and various state
      law
      claims related to alleged stock option backdating. Steven Nelson filed a similar
      lawsuit against the same defendants in the same court on February 16, 2007.
      These lawsuits sought monetary damages, an accounting and various corporate
      governance changes. The Company filed motions to dismiss both lawsuits. On
      March
      30, 2007, both of these lawsuits were voluntarily dismissed by the plaintiffs
      without prejudice and without settlement or any payment by the Company or the
      individual defendants.




From
      time
      to time, the Company is a defendant in certain lawsuits alleging product
      liability, patent infringement or other claims incurred in the ordinary course
      of business. These claims are generally covered by certain insurance policies,
      subject to certain deductible amounts and maximum policy limits. Except as
      otherwise described above, the Company has product liability insurance coverage
      in amounts it considers necessary to prevent material losses. The Company
      recognizes losses when they are known or considered probable and the amount
      can
      be reasonably estimated.




Defending
      and prosecuting intellectual property suits, United States Patent and Trademark
      office (“USPTO”) interference proceedings and related legal and administrative
      proceedings is costly and time-consuming. Further litigation may be necessary
      to
      enforce the Company’s patents, to protect its trade secrets or know-how or to
      determine the enforceability, scope and validity of the proprietary right of
      others. Any litigation or interference proceedings will be costly and will
      result in significant diversion of effort by technical and management personnel.
      An adverse determination in any of the litigation or interference proceedings
      to
      which ArthroCare may become a party could subject us to significant liabilities
      to third parties, require us to license disputed rights from third parties
      or
      require us to cease using such technology, which could have a material adverse
      effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and
      future growth prospects. Patent and intellectual property disputes in the
      medical device area have often been settled through licensing or similar
      arrangements, and could include ongoing royalties. There can be no assurance
      ArthroCare can obtain any necessary licenses on satisfactory terms, if at all.




**NOTE
      10 - Employee Stock Benefit Plans**




*Stock
      Option Plans*





As
      of
      March 31, 2007, 90,909 shares remained available for future grant under the
      1999
      Nonstatutory Option Plan (“1999 Plan”), 773,011 shares remained available for
      future grant under the 2003 Incentive Stock Plan (“2003 Plan”), and 76,147
      shares remained available for future grant under the Employee Stock Purchase
      Plan (“ESPP”). During the quarter ended March 31, 2007, 4,070 shares were issued
      under the Company’s ESPP.




10




**ARTHROCARE
        CORPORATION**
 **NOTES
        TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -
        (Continued)**


Stock
      option activity for the 1999 Plan and the 2003 Plan for the quarter ended March
      31, 2007, is as follows:




**Number
                of Shares**
            
            **Weighted-
                Average Exercise Price**Outstanding
                at December 31, 2006
            
            
            3,176,261
            
            $
            24.94Options
                granted
            
            
            560,110
            
            
            37.02Options
                exercised
            
            
            (50,031
            )
            
            16.31Options
                canceled/forfeited
            
            
            (23,224
            )
            
            8.93Outstanding
                at March 31, 2007
            
            
            3,663,116
            
            
            27.01Options
                exercisable as of March 31, 2007
            
            
            2,342,317
            
            
            22.05







Net
      cash
      proceeds from the exercise of stock options were $0.9 million and $9.3 million
      for the quarters ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. As of March 31,
      2007, there was $19.4 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related
      to unvested share-based compensation arrangements granted under the Company’s
      stock plans related to stock options. The weighted average fair value of options
      granted during the quarter ended March 31, 2007 was $11.90.




Option
      awards outstanding and currently exercisable by exercise price for the 1999
      Plan
      and the 2003 Plan at March 31, 2007 were as follows:




**Outstanding
                Awards**
            
            **Exercisable
                Awards****Exercise
                Price**
            
            **Number**
              **Outstanding**
            
            **Weighted**
              **Average**
              **Remaining**
              **Contractual**
              **Life**
            
            **Weighted**
              **Average**
              **Exercise**
              **Price**
            
            **Number**
              **Exercisable**
            
            **Weighted**
              **Average**
              **Exercise**
              **Price**$3.69   - 
                 $10.00
            
            
            203,422
            
            
            2.77
            
            $
            8.40
            
            
            203,422
            
            $
            8.4010.01 
                -     13.05
            
            
            244,096
            
            
            5.41
            
            
            11.99
            
            
            244,096
            
            
            11.9913.06-14.10
            
            
            290,452
            
            
            5.75
            
            
            13.64
            
            
            267,575
            
            
            13.6514.11 
                -     21.24
            
            
            341,495
            
            
            4.52
            
            
            17.50
            
            
            294,817
            
            
            17.0421.25
                 -     23.00
            
            
            338,950
            
            
            4.28
            
            
            22.61
            
            
            319,105
            
            
            22.6323.01
                 -     27.11
            
            
            352,309
            
            
            6.87
            
            
            24.94
            
            
            269,864
            
            
            24.9527.12
                 -     28.42
            
            
            316,997
            
            
            4.53
            
            
            27.74
            
            
            281,869
            
            
            27.6628.43 
                -     31.50
            
            
            414,498
            
            
            6.29
            
            
            30.80
            
            
            222,399
            
            
            30.8531.51  -   
                 46.84
            
            
            1,160,397
            
            
            6.32
            
            
            39.92
            
            
            238,670
            
            
            40.6146.85  -    
                48.56
            
            
            500
            
            
            2.96
            
            
            48.56
            
            
            500
            
            
            48.563,663,116
            
            
            5.56
            
            
            27.01
            
            
            2,342,317
            
            
            22.05




11


**ARTHROCARE
        CORPORATION**
 **NOTES
        TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -
        (Continued)**


Restricted
      stock awards and units activity for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 is as
      follows:





**Number
                of Shares**
            
            **Weighted-
                Average Grant Date Fair Value**Unvested
                at December 31, 2006
            
            
            288,724
            
            $
            19.21Awards
                granted
            
            
            40,419
            
            
            36.61Awards
                vested
            
            
            (23,955
            )
            
            31.57Awards
                canceled/forfeited
            
            
            (1,320
            )
            
            28.97Unvested
                at March 31, 2007
            
            
            303,868
            
            
            18.15




As
      of
      March 31, 2007, there was total unrecognized compensation expense of $7.1
      million, net of estimated forfeitures, related to unvested restricted stock
      awards and units. At March 31, 2007, unrecognized compensation expense was
      expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.8 years. At March
      31, 2007 and 2006, the aggregate intrinsic value associated with these awards
      was $10.1 million and $14.2 million, respectively. The 40,419 restricted stock
      awards and units granted in the quarter ended March 31, 2007 were valued at
      $1.4
      million when reduced by estimated forfeitures and the 62,450 restricted stock
      awards and units granted in the quarter ended March 31, 2006 were valued at
      $2.7
      million when reduced by estimated forfeitures. The intrinsic values associated
      with awards that vested during the quarters ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 were
      $0.9 million in each period.




*Valuation
      and Expense Information*




In
      both
      quarters ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, the Company recognized total stock-based
      compensation expense of $2.5 million in our condensed consolidated financial
      statements, which included $1.8 million for employee stock options and $0.7
      million for restricted stock awards and units in 2007 and $2.0 million for
      employee stock options and $0.5 million for restricted stock awards and units
      in
      2006.




The
      following table summarizes the total stock-based compensation expense resulting
      from employee stock options, including stock appreciation rights, and restricted
      stock awards and units that the Company recorded for the quarters ended March
      31, 2007 and 2006 (in thousands):




**Three
                Months Ended March 31,****2007**
            
            **2006****Employee
                Stock Options**
            
            **Restricted
                Stock Awards and Units**
            
            **Employee
                Stock Options**
            
            **Restricted
                Stock Awards and Units**Cost
                of product sales
            
            $
            146
            
            $
            54
            
            $
            -
            
            $
            37Research
                and development
            
            
            285
            
            
            103
            
            
            391
            
            
            84Sales
                and marketing
            
            
            534
            
            
            192
            
            
            787
            
            
            120General
                and administrative
            
            
            810
            
            
            342
            
            
            873
            
            
            218Stock-based
                compensation expensebefore
                income taxes
            
            
            1,775
            
            
            691
            
            
            2,051
            
            
            459Income
                tax benefit
            
            
            (601
            )
            
            (232
            )
            
            (762
            )
            
            (184
            )Total
                stock-based compensationexpense
                after income taxes
            
            $
            1,174
            
            $
            459
            
            $
            1,289
            
            $
            275




As
      of
      March 31, 2007, approximately $265,000 of stock-based compensation expense
      was
      capitalized into inventory based on units produced and will be amortized to
      cost
      of product sales based on units sold.




12


**ARTHROCARE
          CORPORATION**
 **NOTES
          TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -
          (Continued)**




The
      income tax benefit realized from stock-based compensation was $0.8 million
      for
      the quarter ended March 31, 2007 and $2.2 million for the quarter ended March
      31, 2006. The Company presents excess tax benefits from stock-based
      compensation, if any, as financing cash flows rather than operating cash
      flows.




**NOTE
      11 - Segment Information**




The
      Company has organized its marketing and sales efforts based on four operating
      segments which are aggregated into one reportable segment—developing,
      manufacturing, and marketing of disposable devices for less invasive surgical
      procedures. Each of the Company’s business units has similar economic
      characteristics, technologies, manufacturing processes, customers, distribution
      and marketing strategies, regulatory environments, and shared infrastructures.
      These business units are Sports Medicine (shoulder and knee arthroscopic
      products), ENT (to include ear, nose and throat and the Visage ® cosmetic
      products), ArthroCare Spine TM (to
      include spinal and neurosurgery products) and Coblation Technology (to include
      gynecology, urology, laparoscopic, general surgical and cardiology
      products).




Product
      sales by product market for the periods shown were as follows (in
      thousands):




**Three
                Months Ended March 31,****2007**
            
            **2006**Sports
                Medicine
            
            $
            43,925
            
            
            62
            %
            $
            40,587
            
            
            67
            %ENT
            
            
            17,126
            
            
            24
            %
            
            13,415
            
            
            22
            %ArthroCare
                Spine
            
            
            9,962
            
            
            14
            %
            
            6,297
            
            
            11
            %Coblation
                Technology
            
            
            (12
            )
            
            0
            %
            
            (42
            )
            
            0
            %Total
                Product Sales
            
            $
            71,001
            
            
            100
            %
            $
            60,257
            
            
            100
            %




Internationally,
      the Company markets and supports its products primarily through its subsidiaries
      and various distributors. Revenues attributed to geographic areas are based
      on
      the country in which subsidiaries are domiciled. Product sales by geography
      for
      the periods shown were as follows (in thousands):




**Three
                Months Ended March 31,****2007**
            
            **2006**Americas
            
            $
            55,886
            
            
            79
            %
            $
            47,828
            
            
            79
            %United
                Kingdom
            
            
            4,301
            
            
            6
            %
            
            3,223
            
            
            5
            %Germany
            
            
            3,435
            
            
            5
            %
            
            2,656
            
            
            5
            %Rest
                of World
            
            
            7,379
            
            
            10
            %
            
            6,550
            
            
            11
            %Total
                Product Sales
            
            $
            71,001
            
            
            100
            %
            $
            60,257
            
            
            100
            %




Long-lived
      assets by geography at the balance sheet dates shown were as follows (in
      thousands):




**March
                31,**
              **2007**
            
            **December
                31,**
              **2006**Americas
            
            $
            27,094
            
            
            69
            %
            $
            26,851
            
            
            71
            %Costa
                Rica
            
            
            8,178
            
            
            21
            %
            
            7,685
            
            
            20
            %Rest
                of World
            
            
            4,045
            
            
            10
            %
            
            3,280
            
            
            9
            %Total
                long-lived assets
            
            $
            39,317
            
            
            100
            %
            $
            37,816
            
            
            100
            %




13





**ARTHROCARE
      CORPORATION**


**NOTES
      TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -
      (Continued)**




**NOTE
      12** **-** **Recently
      Issued Accounting Pronouncements**




In
      July
      2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Interpretation
      No. (“FIN”) 48, *Accounting
      for Uncertainty in Income Taxes* . FIN
      48
      clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an
      enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with Statement of Financial
      Accounting Standards No. 109, *Accounting
      for Income Taxes* .
      This
      interpretation prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute
      for
      the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken
      or
      expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on
      derecognition of tax benefits, classification on the balance sheet, interest
      and
      penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. The
      Company adopted FIN 48 effective January 1, 2007. In accordance with FIN
      48, paragraph 19, the Company has decided to classify interest and penalties
      as
      a component of tax expense. As a result of the implementation of FIN 48, the
      Company recognized a $2.1 million increase in liability for unrecognized
      tax benefits, which was accounted for as a reduction to the January 1, 2007
      balance of retained earnings.





The
      Company has unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $7.9 million as of
      January 1, 2007, of which $7.1 million, if recognized, would result in a
      reduction of the Company's effective tax rate. Interest and penalties are
      immaterial at the date of adoption and are included in the unrecognized tax
      benefits. The Company recorded an increase of its unrecognized tax benefits
      of
      approximately $0.1 million as of March 31, 2007. The
      Company is subject
      to audit by the IRS and California Franchise Tax Board for the years 1994
      through 2006 and by the Texas State Comptroller for the year 2006. As the
      Company has operations in most other US states, other state tax authorities
      may assess deficiencies related to prior year activities; however, the years
      open to assessment vary with each state.  The Company also files
      income tax returns for non-US jurisdictions; the most significant of which
      are
      the UK, Sweden, and Germany.  The years open to adjustment for the UK and
      Germany are 2003 through 2006.  The years open to adjustment for Sweden are
      1999 through 2006.





In
      September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
      Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, *Fair
      Value Measurements* (“FAS
      157”). The Statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring
      fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures
      about fair value measurements. FAS 157 is effective for the Company beginning
      January 1, 2008. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the
      impact, if any, that FAS 157 will have on its operating results and financial
      position.





In
      February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, *The
      Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities - Including
      an
      amendment of FASB No. 115* (“FAS
      159”). The Statement permits companies to choose to measure many financial
      instruments and certain other items at fair value in order to mitigate
      volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and
      liabilities differently without having to apply complex hedge accounting
      provisions. FAS 159 is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2008.
      The
      Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, of FAS 159 on its operating
      results and financial position.




14


**ITEM
      2.    MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
      CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS**





*The
      following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated
      financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-Q.
      Statements in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
      and Results of Operations and elsewhere in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q
      which express that we “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect” or “plan to” as well as
      other statements which are not historical fact, are forward-looking statements
      within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
      In
      this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, the terms the “Company”, “we”, “us” and
“our” refer to ArthroCare Corporation and its subsidiaries.*





***Company
      Overview***





We
      are a
      multi-business medical device company that develops, manufactures and markets
      minimally invasive surgical products, many of which are based on our patented
      Coblation® technology. We have grown well beyond our roots in arthroscopy to
      capitalize on numerous market opportunities across several medical specialties,
      significantly improving many existing soft-tissue surgical procedures and
      enabling new minimally invasive procedures. With our highly innovative
      technologies, we are committed to improving the lives of individuals suffering
      from conditions as diverse as torn rotator cuffs and anterior cruciate ligaments
      (ACLs) to herniated discs and enlarged tonsils/tonsillitis.





We
      currently market minimally invasive surgical products across three core business
      units — ArthroCare Sports Medicine, ArthroCare Spine and ArthroCare Ear, Nose
      and Throat (ENT) — but also have developed, manufactured and marketed
      Coblation-based and complementary products for application in neurology,
      cosmetic surgery, urology and gynecology, with research continuing in additional
      areas. In each of our core business units we are focused on driving the
      application of enabling technologies, primarily for plasma-based soft tissue
      removal, and increasing the number of minimally invasive procedures being
      performed.





We
      focus
      on executing a mission-driven business strategy featuring the following key
      elements:





·
            Expanding
                our product offering to address large and rapidly growing
                markets;





·
            Targeting
                established procedures and replacing current technology with value-added
                ArthroCare technologies;





·
            Driving
                disposable device sales with a direct sales
                force;





·
            Augmenting
                growth with complementary and compatible acquisitions to expand margins
                and provide additional opportunity to capitalize on emerging and
                existing
                business opportunities; and





·
            Establishing
                strategic partnerships to further commercialize our minimally invasive
                technologies.





ArthroCare
      was incorporated in California in 1993 and reincorporated in Delaware in 1995.
      We maintain an Internet website at *www.arthrocare.com* .
      On our
      website we make available, free of charge, the following filings as soon as
      reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with or furnished
      to
      the Securities and Exchange Commission: our annual reports on Form 10-K, our
      quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, our current reports on Form 8-K and any
      amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or
      15(d) of the Exchange Act of 1934. You may also read and copy any materials
      that
      we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE,
      Washington DC 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public
      Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Our reports, proxy
      statements and other documents filed electronically with the SEC are available
      at the website maintained by the SEC at *www.sec.gov.*




In
      December 1995, we introduced our Arthroscopy System commercially in the United
      States and have derived a significant portion of our sales from this system.
      Our
      strategy includes placing controller units, which enable use of our disposable
      coblation products, at substantial discounts or placing controllers at customer
      sites at no cost in order to generate future disposable product revenue. Our
      strategy also includes applying our patented Coblation technology to a range
      of
      other soft-tissue surgical markets, including the products we have introduced
      in
      the fields of spinal surgery, neurosurgery, gynecology, urology, cosmetic
      surgery, ENT surgery, cardiology and general surgery. We have received 510(k)
      clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use of our
      technology in several fields. We cannot be sure that any of our clinical studies
      in other fields will lead to 510(k) applications or that the applications will
      be cleared by the FDA on a timely basis, if at all. In addition, we cannot
      be
      sure that the products, if cleared for marketing, will ever achieve commercial
      acceptance.




15




In
      May
      1998, we announced that we had entered the ear, nose and throat market and
      had
      formed a business unit called ENTec to commercialize Coblation technology in
      this field. In September 1999, we announced that we had entered the spinal
      surgery market. In February 2000, we announced that we were expanding our
      marketing efforts for our spinal surgery system to specifically address selected
      applications in neurosurgery. We are marketing and selling our spinal surgery
      products through a network of independent distributors and direct sales
      representatives supported by regional managers worldwide. In January 2004,
      we
      acquired MDA and its majority-owned subsidiary, Parallax, a business focused
      on
      the treatment of vertebral compression fractures. In November 2004, we acquired
      Opus Medical, a business focused on soft tissue to bone repair systems,
      including systems for the treatment of rotator cuff injuries. In
      August 2005, we completed the purchase of substantially all of the assets of
      Applied Therapeutics, Inc. (“ATI”), a maker of sinus surgery treatment products.




We
      have
      received 510(k) clearance from the FDA to market several of our products and
      several of our products are CE marked, which is a requirement to sell our
      products in most of Western Europe. Specifically, we have received 510(k)
      clearance from the FDA to market our Coblation-based Arthroscopic Surgery
      System, or Arthroscopic System, for use in arthroscopic surgery of the knee,
      shoulder, ankle, elbow, wrist and hip. In addition, our Arthroscopic System
      is
      CE marked for use in arthroscopic surgery. We have also received 510(k)
      clearances in the United States and a CE mark in Europe to market and sell
      our
      Coblation-based Spinal Surgery System for spinal surgery and neurosurgery.
      Our
      ENT Surgery System has received 510(k) clearances from the FDA and a CE mark
      for
      use in general head, neck, oral and sinus surgery procedures, including
      tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, turbinate reduction to relieve nasal
      obstruction, and soft palate stiffening to treat snoring. The FDA also has
      cleared our Cosmetic Surgery System for general dermatologic procedures and
      skin
      resurfacing in connection with wrinkle reduction procedures. In addition, the
      Cosmetic Surgery System has received a CE Mark. We also have received 510(k)
      clearance from the FDA, and applied for a CE mark, to market products based
      on
      our Coblation technology for use in urology, gynecology, plastic and
      reconstructive surgery, orthopedic surgery and general surgery.




***Overview
      of First Quarter Results***




Relative
      to the first quarter of 2006, total revenue for the first quarter of 2007
      increased 18 percent to $73.7 million. The increase was primarily driven by
      the
      combined performance of the ENT and Spine business units. International product
      sales represented approximately 21 percent of net product sales in the quarter,
      remaining consistent with the first quarter of 2006 when international product
      sales also represented approximately 21 percent of net product sales. No single
      customer accounted for more than 10 percent of our net product sales during
      the
      first quarter of 2007.




Total
      operating expenses were approximately $44.0 million for the first quarter of
      2007, compared to $35.0 million in the first quarter of 2006. This $9.0 million
      increase was primarily a result of the following factors: approximately $6.0
      million of the increase was due to increased sales commissions, compensation,
      training expenses and other sales and marketing costs associated with our
      increased sales volume and expanded sales force; $1.1
      million was due to an increase in our accounts receivable reserves; $1.0 million
      represents increased advertising and promotional expenses; and $0.4 million
      is
      related to increased facilities costs related to our expanded distribution
      network.





Our
      headcount at March 31, 2007 was 943, an increase of 7.0 percent from 881 at
      December 31, 2006 and an increase of 4.4 percent from 903 at March 31,
      2006.  Headcount increases are primarily attributable to increases in
      manufacturing personnel in Costa Rica and additions of personnel in research
      and
      development and sales and marketing. ****




16




***Results
      of Operations***




*Comparison
      of the three months ended March 31, 2007 to the three months ended March 31,
      2006 (in thousands, unless otherwise noted).*





**Three
                Months Ended March 31,****2007**
            
            **2006**Product
                sales
            
            $
            71,001
            
            
            96
            %
            $
            60,257
            
            
            96
            %Royalties,
                fees, and other
            
            
            2,742
            
            
            4
            %
            
            2,224
            
            
            4
            %Total
                revenues
            
            
            73,743
            
            
            100
            %
            
            62,481
            
            
            100
            %Cost
                of product sales
            
            
            20,756
            
            
            28
            %
            
            17,705
            
            
            28
            %Gross
                profit
            
            
            52,987
            
            
            72
            %
            
            44,776
            
            
            72
            %Operating
                expensesResearch
                and development
            
            
            6,464
            
            
            9
            %
            
            6,202
            
            
            10
            %Sales
                and marketing
            
            
            29,494
            
            
            40
            %
            
            21,905
            
            
            35
            %General
                and administrative
            
            
            6,180
            
            
            8
            %
            
            5,061
            
            
            8
            %Amortization
                of intangible assets
            
            
            1,911
            
            
            3
            %
            
            1,822
            
            
            3
            %Total
                operating expenses
            
            
            44,049
            
            
            60
            %
            
            34,990
            
            
            56
            %Income
                from operations
            
            
            8,938
            
            
            12
            %
            
            9,786
            
            
            16
            %Interest
                and other income (expense), net
            
            
            330
            
            
            0
            %
            
            (311
            )
            
            -1
            %Income
                before income tax provision
            
            
            9,268
            
            
            13
            %
            
            9,475
            
            
            15
            %Income
                tax provision
            
            
            2,132
            
            
            3
            %
            
            2,342
            
            
            4
            %Net
                income
            
            $
            7,136
            
            
            10
            %
            $
            7,133
            
            
            11
            %





**** ***Revenues***





*Product
      sales* consist
      primarily of sales of disposable devices and controllers. Product sales for
      the
      quarter ended March 31, 2007 were $71.0 million, compared to $60.3 million
      for
      the quarter ended March 31, 2006. Product sales by product market for the
      periods shown were as follows:





**Three
                Months Ended March 31,****2007**
            
            **2006**Sports
                Medicine
            
            $
            43,925
            
            
            62
            %
            $
            40,587
            
            
            67
            %ENT
            
            
            17,126
            
            
            24
            %
            
            13,415
            
            
            22
            %ArthroCare
                Spine
            
            
            9,962
            
            
            14
            %
            
            6,297
            
            
            11
            %Coblation
                Technology
            
            
            (12
            )
            
            0
            %
            
            (42
            )
            
            0
            %Total
                Product Sales
            
            $
            71,001
            
            
            100
            %
            $
            60,257
            
            
            100
            %




17




Product
      sales by geography for the periods shown were as follows:




**Three
                Months Ended March 31,****2007**
            
            **2006**Americas
            
            $
            55,886
            
            
            79
            %
            $
            47,828
            
            
            79
            %United
                Kingdom
            
            
            4,301
            
            
            6
            %
            
            3,223
            
            
            5
            %Germany
            
            
            3,435
            
            
            5
            %
            
            2,656
            
            
            5
            %Rest
                of World
            
            
            7,379
            
            
            10
            %
            
            6,550
            
            
            11
            %Total
                Product Sales
            
            $
            71,001
            
            
            100
            %
            $
            60,257
            
            
            100
            %




Our
      sustained increase in direct sales presence has continued to have a positive
      effect on product sales since inception, as did the execution of our strategic
      plan to build market share through promotional programs of controller
      placements, commercialization of our technology in fields outside of
      arthroscopy, and the introduction of new products designed to address surgical
      procedures that have traditionally been difficult to perform. Additionally,
      our
      acquisitions of Atlantech, Parallax, Opus Medical and ATI product lines have
      continued to have a positive effect on sales growth.




We
      generally sell our disposable devices at or near list price, except for sales
      to
      international distributors and marketing partners, which are
      sold
      at discounted prices . We
      anticipate that disposable device sales will remain a key component of our
      product sales in the near future.




*Royalties,
      fees and other revenues* consist
      mainly of revenue from the licensing of our products and technology. Royalties,
      fees and other revenues were $2.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2007,
      compared to $2.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2006. The increase
      is
      related to growth in the markets in which the Company receives royalties. The
      percentage of royalties, fees and other revenues as a percentage of income
      was 4
      percent for both quarters ended March 31, 2007 and March 31, 2006.




***Cost
      of Product Sales***





Cost
      of
      product sales consists
      of manufacturing costs, material costs, labor costs, manufacturing overhead,
      warranty and other direct product costs. Additionally, cost of product sales
      includes amortization of controller unit placements under a program whereby
      we
      maintain ownership of controller units shipped to customers, with the costs
      being capitalized and amortized into cost of product sales over the useful
      life
      of the controller unit. Amortization
      of controllers was $1.9 million in the first quarter of 2007, compared to $1.6
      million in the first quarter of 2006. Controller amortization represented 2.7
      percent of product sales for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 and 2.6 percent
      of
      product sales for the quarter ended March 31, 2006. The percentage increase
      in
      controller amortization for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 compared to the
      same period in 2006 was driven by continued growth in controller placements
      to
      generate future disposable product revenue.





Cost
      of
      product sales was $20.8 million, or 28 percent of revenue for the quarter ended
      March 31, 2007, as compared to $17.7 million, or 28 percent of revenue for
      the
      quarter ended March 31, 2006. Gross product margin as a percentage of product
      sales remained consistent at 71 percent in both the first quarter of 2007 and
      the first quarter of 2006. We expect gross product margin to increase as a
      result of higher average selling prices and as we improve operating
      efficiencies.





***Operating
      Expenses***





Research
      and development expenses were $6.5 million, or 9 percent of total revenues,
      for
      the quarter ended March 31, 2007, compared to $6.2 million, or 10 percent of
      total revenues, for the quarter ended March 31, 2006. The increase is primarily
      attributable to $0.3 million in increased clinical testing and other outside
      services. We expect to increase the dollar amount of research and development
      expenses through continued expenditures on new product development, regulatory
      affairs, clinical studies and patents. We expect these expenses as a percentage
      of product sales to remain essentially flat.




18




Sales
      and
      marketing expenses were $29.5 million, or 40 percent of total revenues, for
      the
      quarter ended March 31, 2007, compared to $21.9 million, or 35 percent of total
      revenues, for the quarter ended March 31, 2006. The percentage increase for
      the
      first quarter of 2007 compared to the first quarter of 2006 related primarily
      to
      $3.3 million in increased sales commissions and other expenses associated with
      our increased sales volume, $2.2 million in additional compensation and training
      expenses associated with our increased direct sales force, $1.1 million in
      additional accounts receivable reserves, and $1.0 million related to trade
      shows, samples and demos, promotions, and other advertising expenses. We
      anticipate that sales and marketing spending will continue to increase in
      absolute dollars as a result of the expansion of our distribution capabilities
      to address the spinal surgery and ear, nose and throat markets, higher dealer
      commissions from increased sales, the additional cost of penetrating
      international markets, higher promotional, demonstration and sample expenses,
      and additional investments in the sales, marketing and support staff necessary
      to commercialize and market future products.





*General
      and administrative* expenses
      were $6.2 million, or 8 percent of total revenues, for the quarter ended March
      31, 2007, compared to $5.1 million, or 8 percent of total revenues, for the
      quarter ended March 31, 2006. The increase in absolute dollars for the quarter
      ended March 31, 2007 compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2006 is due
      primarily to $0.6 million in additional compensation and related expenses due
      to
      increased staffing, a $0.4 million increase in facilities expenses related
      to
      our expanding distribution network and a decrease in legal service costs
      completely offset by a decrease in legal settlement payments. We expect general
      and administrative expenses to decrease as a percentage of total revenues due
      to
      continued leveraging of our existing infrastructure and operating
      procedures.





Amortization
      of intangible assets increased to $1.9 million, or 3 percent of total revenues,
      during the first quarter of 2007, compared to $1.8 million, or 3 percent of
      total revenues, in the first quarter of 2006. The increase in amortization
      for
      the quarter ended March 31, 2007 as compared to the same period in 2006 is
      attributable to additional license agreements. We expect that amortization
      of
      intangible assets will increase in future periods as we acquire additional
      assets.





*Interest
      and other income (expense), net* ,
      increased to a net benefit of $0.3 million for the quarter ended March 31,
      2007,
      compared to a net expense of $0.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2006.
      The increase in net benefit of $0.6 million for the quarter ended March 31,
      2007
      compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2006 was primarily a result of funding
      our operations through our operating cash flows without needing to borrow funds
      under our credit facility during the first quarter of 2007. We do not expect
      material fluctuations in interest and other income since we plan to fund our
      business through our operating cash flows in the foreseeable
      future.




*Income
      Tax Provision* .
      The
      provision for income taxes was $2.1 million for an effective tax rate of
      approximately 23 percent for the quarter ended March 31, 2007, compared to
      $2.3
      million for an effective tax rate of 25 percent for the quarter ended March
      31,
      2006. The decrease in the effective tax rate was primarily due to the
      legislative extension of R&D credits during the fourth quarter of 2006.





***Liquidity
      and Capital Resources***




As
      of
      March 31, 2007, we had $122.9 million in working capital, compared to $113.7
      million at December 31, 2006. Our
      principal sources of liquidity consisted of $41.7 million in cash, cash
      equivalents, and short-term investments at March 31, 2007. Cash equivalents
      are
      highly liquid with original maturities of ninety days or less. Our short-term
      investments consist primarily of corporate bonds.




Cash
      provided by operating activities for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 was $15.7
      million, primarily attributable to net income adjusted for non-cash items
      including depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation expense,
      and
      provisions for doubtful accounts and inventory reserves, partially offset by
      a
      decrease in accrued liabilities. Cash generated by operating activities for
      the
      quarter ended March 31, 2006 was $3.3 million, primarily attributable to net
      income adjusted for non-cash items including stock-based compensation expense,
      including the income tax benefit received from stock options and increases
      in
      accounts receivable and inventory, partially offset by a decrease in accrued
      liabilities.




19




Cash
      used
      in investing activities for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 was $4.0 million,
      due primarily to purchases of property and equipment and intangible assets,
      partially offset by sales and maturities of available for sale securities.
      Cash
      used in investing activities for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 was $56.9
      million, due primarily to the cash payment made to the former Opus
      shareholders.




Cash
      provided by financing activities for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 was $1.2
      million, due primarily to cash proceeds from the exercise of stock options
      and
      from the issuance of common stock. Cash used in financing activities for the
      quarter ended March 31, 2006 was $46.6 million, due primarily to cash proceeds
      of $35.0 million borrowed through our revolving credit facility, $9.3 million
      associated with proceeds from the exercise of stock options, and $2.2 million
      of
      income tax benefit related to employee stock options.




We
      believe that cash generated from operations will be sufficient to fund our
      operations through fiscal year 2007 and in the near future. Our future liquidity
      and capital requirements will depend on numerous factors, including our success
      in commercializing our products, development and commercialization of products
      in fields other than arthroscopy, the ability of our suppliers to continue
      to
      meet our demands at current prices, obtaining and enforcing patents important
      to
      our business, the status of regulatory approvals and competition.




**Critical
      Accounting Policies and Estimates**




The
      preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with
      accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
      requires management to make judgments, assumptions and estimates that affect
      the
      amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying
      notes. Note 2 to the condensed consolidated financial statements of this Form
      10-Q and Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements of our Form 10-K for
      the year ended December 31, 2006 describe the significant accounting policies
      and methods used in the preparation of the condensed consolidated financial
      statements. The most significant areas involving management judgments and
      estimates are described below and are impacted significantly by judgments,
      assumptions, and estimates used in the preparation of the condensed consolidated
      financial statements. Actual results could differ materially from these
      estimates.




*Revenue
      Recognition*




We
      recognize product revenue in accordance with SEC Staff Accounting
      Bulletin No. 104, Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements (“SAB
      104”). Under SAB 104, revenue is recognized when there is persuasive evidence of
      an arrangement, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the sales
      price is fixed and determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured.
      Generally, the criteria are met upon shipment of our products. In certain cases,
      at the customer’s request, we will enter into bill and hold transactions whereby
      title and risk of loss transfers to the customer, but the product does not
      ship
      until a specified later date. Revenue on such transactions is recognized only
      after ArthroCare has met all conditions for bill and hold transactions set
      forth
      in SAB 104, specifically that ArthroCare has no further performance
      obligations, that the product is complete and ready for shipment, and that
      a
      fixed schedule for delivery of the product is set. Revenue is reported net
      of a
      provision for estimated product returns.





We
      recognize license fees and other revenue over the term of the associated
      agreement unless the fee is in exchange for products delivered or services
      performed that represent the culmination of a separate earnings process.
      Royalties are recognized as earned, generally based on the licensees’ product
      shipments. These items are classified as royalties, fees and other revenues
      in
      the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations. Amounts billed
      to customers relating to shipping and handling costs have also been classified
      as royalties, fees and other revenues and related costs are classified as cost
      of product sales in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of
      operations.





Additionally,
      we assess risks of loss on accounts receivable and make adjustments to our
      allowance for doubtful accounts based on our assessment. In estimating this
      allowance, we consider factors such as historical collection experience, a
      customer’s current credit-worthiness, customer concentrations, the age of the
      receivable balance, both individually and in the aggregate, and general economic
      conditions that may affect a customer’s ability to pay. Actual customer
      collections could differ from our estimates. We believe that the allowance
      for
      doubtful accounts of $3.0 million at March 31, 2007 is adequate to provide
      for
      probable losses associated with accounts receivable.




20




*Inventory
      Reserves*




Inventory
      purchases and commitments are based upon future demand forecasts. We record
      reserves against our inventory value to the extent we believe that demand for
      certain inventory items has decreased or if certain inventory items have become
      obsolete. If there were to be a sudden and significant decrease in demand for
      our products, or if there were a higher incidence of inventory obsolescence
      because of rapidly changing technology and customer requirements, we could
      be
      required to increase our inventory reserves and our gross margins could be
      adversely affected.





*Business
      Combinations*





Accounting
      for our business acquisitions requires extensive accounting estimates and
      judgments to allocate the purchase price between net tangible assets, in-process
      research and development, other identifiable intangible assets and goodwill.
      Assets and liabilities of acquired businesses are recorded under the purchase
      method of accounting at their estimated fair value at the date of acquisition.





We
      assess
      our goodwill for impairment on December 31st of each year and during an interim
      period if facts or circumstances would more likely than not suggest that the
      fair value of an identified reporting unit is below its carrying value. We
      currently have recorded goodwill related to our acquisitions of ATI, Atlantech,
      MDA and Opus Medical. In response to changes in industry and market conditions,
      we may be required to strategically realign our resources and consider
      restructuring, disposing, or otherwise exiting businesses, which could result
      in
      an impairment of goodwill. Impairment is measured by the excess of the recorded
      value of goodwill over its implied fair value. Measurement of an impairment
      is
      required when the fair value of the reporting unit containing goodwill is less
      than the reporting unit’s net book value. We have recorded goodwill of $139.7
      million and other intangible assets of $35.8 million as of March 31,
      2007.




Intangible
      assets with finite lives are amortized over the estimated useful life of each
      asset. We monitor conditions related to these assets to determine whether events
      and circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining amortization period.
      To
      date, we have not had an impairment associated with these intangible
      assets.





*Contingencies*




We
      are
      subject to the possibility of various loss contingencies arising in the ordinary
      course of business. In determining loss contingencies, we consider the
      likelihood of loss or impairment of an asset or the incurrence of a liability,
      as well as our ability to reasonably estimate the amount of loss. An estimated
      loss contingency is accrued when it is probable that an asset has been impaired
      or a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably
      estimated. We regularly evaluate current information available to us to
      determine whether such accrual estimates should be adjusted.





*Income
      Taxes*





We
      account for income taxes under the liability method, whereby deferred tax asset
      or liability account balances are determined based on the difference between
      the
      financial statement and the tax bases of assets and liabilities using current
      tax laws and rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected
      to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary,
      to reduce deferred tax assets to the amounts expected to be
      realized.





In
      July
      2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Interpretation
      No. (“FIN”) 48, *Accounting
      for Uncertainty in Income Taxes* . FIN
      48
      clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an
      enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with Statement of Financial
      Accounting Standards No. 109, *Accounting
      for Income Taxes* .
      This
      interpretation prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute
      for
      the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken
      or
      expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on
      derecognition of tax benefits, classification on the balance sheet, interest
      and
      penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. We adopted
      FIN 48 effective January 1, 2007. In accordance with FIN 48, paragraph 19,
      we have decided to classify interest and penalties as a component of tax
      expense. As a result of the implementation of FIN 48, we recognized a
      $2.1 million increase in liability for unrecognized tax benefits, which was
      accounted for as a reduction to the January 1, 2007 balance of retained
      earnings.




21




We
      have
      unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $7.9 million as of January 1,
      2007, of which $7.1 million, if recognized, would result in a reduction of
      our
      effective tax rate. Interest and penalties are immaterial at the date of
      adoption and are included in the unrecognized tax benefits. We recorded an
      increase of our unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $0.1 million as
      of
      March 31, 2007. We
      are
      subject to audit by the IRS and California Franchise Tax Board for the years
      1994 through 2006 and by the Texas State Comptroller for the year 2006. As
      we
      have operations in most other US states, other state tax authorities may assess
      deficiencies related to prior year activities; however, the years open to
      assessment vary with each state.   We also file income tax returns for
      non-US jurisdictions; the most significant of which are the UK, Sweden, and
      Germany.  The years open to adjustment for the UK and Germany are 2003
      through 2006.  The years open to adjustment for Sweden are 1999 through
      2006.





*Stock-Based
      Compensation*





On
      January 1, 2006, we adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
      123
      (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment (“Statement 123R”), which requires the
      measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all share-based payment
      awards made to employees, including employee stock options and employee stock
      purchases related to the ESPP based on estimated grant date fair values.
      Stock-based compensation expense recognized under Statement 123R for the
      quarters ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 was $1.8 million and $2.1 million,
      respectively. See Note 10 to the condensed consolidated financial statements
      for
      additional information.




Upon
      adoption of Statement 123R, we began estimating the value of employee stock
      options on the date of grant using the Black Scholes model, as we had previously
      used for the purpose of disclosing pro forma financial information. The
      determination of the fair value of share based payment awards on the date of
      grant using an option pricing model is affected by our stock price as well
      as
      assumptions regarding a number of highly complex and subjective variables.
      These
      variables include, but are not limited to, the expected stock price volatility,
      employee stock option exercise behavior, and related tax implications.




As
      stock-based compensation expense recognized in the condensed consolidated
      statement of operations for the first quarter of 2007 is based on awards
      ultimately expected to vest, it has been reduced for estimated forfeitures.
      Statement 123R requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and
      revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from
      those estimates. Forfeitures were estimated based on historical experience
      but
      actual forfeitures could differ materially and result in volatility in our
      stock-based compensation expense amounts.





**Disclosures
      about Contractual Obligations and Commercial
      Commitments**




We
      have
      various contractual obligations, which are recorded as liabilities in our
      consolidated financial statements. Other items, such as certain purchase
      commitments with suppliers and minimum lease payments under operating leases,
      are not recognized as liabilities in our consolidated financial statements
      but
      are required to be disclosed. During the three months ended March 31, 2007,
      there were no material changes in our contractual obligations presented in
      our
      2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K. However, as of March 31, 2007, we
      have $4.4 million of non-current income tax liabilities as a result of our
      adoption of FIN 48 on January 1, 2007. Because of the uncertainty of
      the amounts to be ultimately paid as well as the timing of such payments, these
      liabilities are excluded from our contractual
      obligations table.




22




**Recently
      Issued Accounting Pronouncements**




In
      September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
      Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, *Fair
      Value Measurements* (“FAS
      157”). The Statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring
      fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures
      about fair value measurements. FAS 157 is effective for us beginning January
      1,
      2008. We are currently in the process of evaluating the impact, if any, that
      FAS
      157 will have on our operating results and financial position.




In
      February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, *The
      Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities - Including
      an
      amendment of FASB No. 115* (“FAS
      159”). The Statement permits companies to choose to measure many financial
      instruments and certain other items at fair value in order to mitigate
      volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and
      liabilities differently without having to apply complex hedge accounting
      provisions. FAS 159 is effective for us beginning January 1, 2008. We are
      currently evaluating the impact, if any, that FAS 159 will have on our operating
      results and financial position.




Please
      refer to our discussion of accounting for income taxes in the section entitled
      “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” for a description of our adoption
      of FIN 48 in the quarter ended March 31, 2007.





**ITEM
      3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET
      RISK**





Our
      exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to
      our
      investment portfolio, which includes cash, cash equivalents and short-term
      investments. Our investment portfolio does not currently include derivative
      financial instruments.




We
      are
      subject to fluctuating interest rates that may impact, adversely or otherwise,
      our results of operations or cash flows. The table below presents principal
      amounts and related weighted average interest rates as of March 31, 2007 for
      our
      cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments (in thousands):




Cash,
                cash equivalents, and short-term investments
            
            $
            41,678Average
                interest rate
            
            
            4.8
            %




Although
      payments under the operating leases for our facilities are tied to market
      indices, we are not exposed to material interest rate risk associated with
      operating leases.




*Foreign
      Currency Risk*





A
      significant portion of our international sales and operating expenses are
      denominated in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar. During the first quarter
      of 2007, most of these currencies strengthened relative to the U.S. Dollar.
      To
      the extent that the strength of these currencies fluctuates as compared to
      the
      U.S. Dollar, we will experience variations in our results of operations and
      financial condition.




Our
      cash
      and cash equivalents at the quarter ended March 31, 2007 were denominated
      primarily in U.S. Dollars; however, we also maintain significant balances in
      Euros, Swedish Krona and Costa Rican Colones. A 10 percent change in the March
      31, 2007 exchange rates for these currencies would have an impact on pre-tax
      income of approximately $0.5 million.




**ITEM
      4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES**





**Evaluation
      of Disclosure Controls and Procedures**




We
      maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e)
      and
      15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange
      Act”)) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in
      our filings under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and
      reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange
      Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and
      communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and
      Chief Financial Officer (CFO), as appropriate, to allow timely decisions
      regarding required disclosure.  A system of disclosure controls and
      procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only
      reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management
      must apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible
      controls and procedures.




23




**Changes
      in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting**




There
      were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred
      during the quarter ended March 31, 2007 that have materially affected, or are
      reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial
      reporting.





**PART
      II. OTHER INFORMATION**





**ITEM
      1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS**




Information
      with respect to this item is incorporated into this Part II, Item I by reference
      to the section entitled “Litigation” in Note 9 to the condensed consolidated
      financial statements contained in Part I above.




**ITEM
      1A. RISK FACTORS**




There
      are
      many factors that affect our business and the results of our operations, many
      of
      which are beyond our control. In this regard, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” to Part I
      of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 contained
      a description of significant factors that might cause the actual results of
      operations in future periods to differ materially from those currently expected
      or desired. We urge you to read the risk factors contained in our 2006 Annual
      Report on Form 10-K, as there have not been any material changes in our risk
      factors.





**ITEM
      2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS**




None.




**ITEM
      3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES**




None.




**ITEM
      4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITIES HOLDERS**




None.




**ITEM
      5. OTHER INFORMATION**




None.




**ITEM
      6. EXHIBITS**




**Exhibit
                Number**
            
            **Description**31.1
            
            Certification
                of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the
                Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.31.2
            
            Certification
                of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the
                Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.32.1
            
            Certification
                of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the
                Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.32.2
            
            Certification
                of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the
                Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.





24


**SIGNATURES**





Pursuant
      to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant
      has
      duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto
      duly authorized.


**ARTHROCARE
                CORPORATION**
              *a Delaware corporation*Date:May 1, 2007
            
            /s/
              Michael BakerMichael A. Baker
              President,
                  Chief Executive Officer and Director
                (Principal
                  Executive Officer)


Date:May 1, 2007
              
              /s/
                Michael GlukMichael Gluk
                Chief
                  Financial Officer
                (Principal
                  Financial and Accounting Officer)
  25