UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 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): May 21, 2014

ARTHROCARE CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

7000 West William Cannon, Building One

Austin, TX  78735

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(512) 391-3900

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(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:

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 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 8.01 Other Information.

On May 21, 2014, the United Kingdom Competition and Markets Authority concluded its Phase I procedure and granted unconditional clearance of the proposed merger between ArthroCare Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company” or “ArthroCare”) and Smith & Nephew, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent” or “Smith & Nephew”), Rosebud Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Parent and Smith & Nephew plc, an English public limited company. The proposed merger is no longer subject to receipt of antitrust approvals after previously receiving clearance from the relevant authorities in the United States and Germany. The parties expect to close the merger no later than May 29, 2014.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this filing may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements regarding the merger and the ability to consummate the merger. These forward-looking statements generally include statements that are predictive in nature and depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, and include words such as “believes,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “potential,” or similar expressions. Statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and ArthroCare undertakes no obligation to update any of them publicly in light of new information or future events. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement as a result of various factors, including, without limitation: (1) conditions to the closing of the merger may not be satisfied; (2) the merger may involve unexpected costs, liabilities or delays; (3) the business of ArthroCare may suffer as a result of uncertainty surrounding the merger; (4) the outcome of any legal proceedings related to the merger; (5) ArthroCare may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; (6) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement; (7) the ability to recognize benefits of the merger; (8) risks that the merger disrupts current plans and operations and the potential difficulties in employee retention as a result of the merger; and (9) other risks to consummation of the merger, including the risk that the merger will not be consummated within the expected time period or at all. If the merger is consummated, ArthroCare stockholders will cease to have any equity interest in ArthroCare and will have no right to participate in its earnings and future growth. Additional factors that may affect the future results of ArthroCare are set forth in its filings with the SEC, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, and its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, which are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.   Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date thereof.

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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.

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