Cartilage Injury

Cartilage is the smooth, protective tissue that covers the ends of bones inside joints. It allows bones to glide against each other with minimal friction and helps absorb the forces placed on the joint during movement.

When cartilage is injured or worn down, it can lead to pain, swelling, and limited motion. Understanding cartilage injuries can help explain many common joint problems and why early treatment is important for joint preservation.

What is Cartilage?

Cartilage is a specialized tissue found in all major joints, including the hip, knee, and shoulder. Its key functions include:

• Providing a smooth surface for movement

• Absorbing shock during activity

• Protecting the underlying bone

Unlike other tissues in the body, cartilage has limited blood supply. This means it does not heal easily after injury, which is why cartilage damage can become a long-term problem if not addressed.

Types of Cartilage Injury

Cartilage injuries can range from minor wear to full-thickness defects exposing the underlying bone. Common types include:

• Softening or fraying (chondromalacia): Early-stage cartilage breakdown.

• Partial-thickness defects: Damage that does not reach the underlying bone.

• Full-thickness defects: Complete loss of cartilage, often exposing bone (called "osteochondral defects").

In severe cases, progressive cartilage damage can lead to arthritis, where the joint loses its smooth surfaces entirely.

What Causes Cartilage Injuries?

Cartilage injuries can result from:

• Trauma: A direct blow or injury to the joint.

• Repetitive stress: High-impact activities or abnormal joint mechanics over time.

• Alignment issues: Malalignment in the knee or hip can overload certain areas of cartilage.

• Associated injuries: Ligament tears (like ACL injuries) or meniscus damage can increase the risk of cartilage injury.

• Age-related wear: Natural aging can lead to gradual cartilage thinning and degeneration.

Symptoms of Cartilage Injury

Symptoms can vary depending on the size and location of the injury but often include:

• Joint pain, especially with activity

• Swelling or stiffness

• Clicking or catching sensations

• Reduced range of motion

• In more advanced cases, a feeling of joint instability or weakness

Diagnosis

Cartilage injuries are diagnosed through a combination of:

• History and physical exam: Your symptoms and joint function help guide evaluation.

• Imaging: MRI is the most common tool to visualize cartilage damage.

• Arthroscopy: In some cases, direct visualization during surgery confirms the extent of injury.

Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the severity of the injury and your activity level:

• Non-Surgical Management:

  • Activity modification to reduce joint stress

  • Physical therapy to strengthen surrounding muscles

  • Anti-inflammatory medications

  • Injections (such as corticosteroids, hyaluronic acid, or biologics)

• Surgical Management:

  • Debridement: Smoothing damaged cartilage.

  • Microfracture: Stimulating new tissue growth by creating small holes in the bone.

  • Osteochondral grafting: Transferring healthy cartilage from another area of the joint or from a donor.

  • Cartilage restoration techniques: Advanced options such as autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) to regrow cartilage cells.

  • Realignment procedures: Such as osteotomy, to reduce pressure on damaged cartilage areas.

Your treatment plan is personalized based on your goals, age, and activity level.

Recovery and Outlook

Recovery depends on the treatment:

• Non-surgical treatments focus on managing symptoms and protecting the joint.

• Surgical recovery involves rehabilitation to restore motion and strength, and it may take several months depending on the procedure.

The goal is to relieve pain, improve joint function, and preserve the natural joint for as long as possible.

Conclusion

Cartilage injuries are a common cause of joint pain and, if left untreated, can progress to more advanced arthritis. Early recognition and treatment are important to protect the joint and maintain an active lifestyle.

If you are experiencing joint pain or concerns about cartilage health, contact our office for a full evaluation and personalized care plan.