SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

Current Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 18, 2008

ARTHROCARE CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Delaware	0-027422	94-3180312
(State or other Jurisdiction of	(Commission File	(I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or Organization)	Number)	Identification No.)

7500 Rialto Blvd., Building Two, Suite 100

Austin, TX 78735

(512) 391-3900

(Address and Telephone Number of Principal Executive Offices)

N/A

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2 below):

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 1.01 Entry Into A Material Definitive Agreement.

The information required by this Item is incorporated into this Item 1.01 by reference to the Company’s press release, dated December 19, 2008, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 (the “Press Release”).

Item 4.02(a) Non-Reliance On Previously Issued Reports.

The information required by this Item is incorporated into this Item 4.02(a) by reference to the Press Release.

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Officers.

The information required by this Item is incorporated into this Item 5.02 by reference to the Press Release.

Item 8.01 Other Events.

The information required by this Item is incorporated into this Item 8.01 by reference to the Press Release.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

Exhibits

Exhibit Number	Title
10.42	Form of “Senior VP Continuity Agreement” between ArthroCare Corporation and its senior vice presidents (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.42 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 6, 2004).
10.43	Form of “Amendment to Senior VP Continuity Agreement” between ArthroCare Corporation and its senior vice presidents (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.43 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 6, 2004).
99.1	Press Release dated December 19, 2008

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 hereunto duly authorized.

Dated: December 19, 2008	ARTHROCARE CORPORATION
	By:	/s/ Michael A. Baker
		Michael A. Baker
		Chief Executive Officer