The knee joint relies on cartilage to support smooth and efficient movement while cushioning the bones during activities. Damage to this cartilage can disrupt daily mobility and lead to discomfort or long-term joint complications if untreated. This article provides an overview of knee cartilage injuries, their causes, symptoms, and available treatments.
What Is Knee Cartilage?
Cartilage is a specialised tissue found in the knee, serving as both a cushion and a facilitator of movement. There are two main types of cartilage in the knee:
Articular Cartilage
This smooth, glossy tissue covers the ends of bones in the joint, reducing friction and aiding in effortless movement. It also helps to distribute weight evenly during physical activities.
Meniscus
This is a C-shaped cartilage structure that acts as a shock absorber between the thigh and shin bones. It helps stabilise the joint and protect other structures from wear and tear.
Symptoms of Knee Cartilage Injuries
Knee cartilage injuries often manifest through various physical and functional changes in the joint.
Pain and Discomfort
Pain is often localised around the knee and tends to worsen with movement or after prolonged periods of inactivity.
Swelling or Stiffness
The injured knee may appear swollen due to inflammation and feel stiff, making it difficult to bend or extend the leg fully.
Reduced Range of Motion
Damage to cartilage can limit how far the knee can move, affecting activities like walking or climbing stairs. If deep bending movements like squats trigger your discomfort, our guide on knee pain when squatting explains the causes and when to see a doctor.
Locking or Catching Sensation
Loose fragments of cartilage within the joint can cause the knee to lock or catch suddenly during movement.
Instability
The knee may feel weak or unstable, especially when bearing weight.
Common Causes of Knee Cartilage Injuries
Knee cartilage injuries can arise from various factors, including trauma and gradual wear over time.
Traumatic Injuries
Sudden incidents, such as twisting the knee during sports or experiencing a direct blow to the joint, can cause acute cartilage damage. These injuries are common in athletes and physically active individuals. Athletes with anterior knee pain from repetitive stress may also want to read runner’s knee: what you need to know for a closer look at this related condition.
Degenerative Changes
Over time, the cartilage can wear down due to conditions such as osteoarthritis, which leads to gradual joint damage. Repetitive use and ageing also contribute to this degeneration.
Other Contributing Factors
Genetic predisposition to weaker cartilage, combined with lifestyle factors such as obesity, may increase the likelihood of injury. Excess weight places additional strain on the joint, accelerating cartilage breakdown.
Diagnosing Knee Cartilage Injuries
Accurate diagnosis of a knee cartilage injury involves a combination of clinical evaluation and imaging techniques.
Medical History and Physical Examination
An Orthopaedic Specialist review symptoms, prior injuries, and activity levels to narrow down the potential cause. The physical examination includes testing joint movement, identifying areas of tenderness, and evaluating any swelling or instability.
Imaging Tests
X-rays are typically used to exclude bone-related injuries or abnormalities. MRI scans provide a more detailed view of the knee’s soft tissues, including cartilage, and are necessary for evaluating the extent of the injury.
Arthroscopy
For cases where imaging is inconclusive, arthroscopy may be performed. This minimally invasive procedure involves inserting a small camera into the knee joint, allowing for a direct visual assessment of cartilage damage and other joint structures.
Treatment Options
The treatment for knee cartilage injuries varies depending on the severity and underlying cause. Options range from conservative measures to surgical interventions.
Non-Surgical Treatment
Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE)
Resting the knee reduces stress on the joint, allowing it to heal. Applying ice helps alleviate swelling and inflammation, while compression and elevation minimise fluid build-up, promoting comfort and recovery.
Physiotherapy
Targeted exercises improve the strength and flexibility of muscles supporting the knee. This reduces strain on the joint and enhances stability. Low-impact activities like swimming and cycling are often incorporated to avoid further stress.
Medications
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can relieve pain and reduce swelling. These medications are generally recommended for short-term use during the initial recovery phase.
Injections
Hyaluronic acid injections improve the lubrication of the joint, facilitating smoother movement. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy utilises growth factors from the patient’s blood to promote tissue repair and reduce inflammation in some cases.
Surgical Treatment
Microfracture Technique
Small holes are drilled into the underlying bone to encourage the growth of fibrocartilage, a type of cartilage that can fill in damaged areas. This technique is often used for smaller injuries but may not restore the original cartilage’s full function.
Autologous Chondrocyte Implanation
This procedure involves harvesting healthy cartilage cells from the patient’s own body, cultivating them in a lab, and implanting them back into the damaged area. It is a two-step process designed to regenerate cartilage for long-term improvement.
Osteochondral Grafting
Healthy cartilage is taken from another part of the patient’s body (autograft) or from a donor (allograft) to replace the damaged cartilage. This method is suitable for larger defects and aims to restore both structure and function.
If the meniscus is damaged, it can often be repaired using stitching techniques that allow the tissue to heal. For cases where the damage is too extensive, the meniscus may be replaced with donor tissue to restore its function. These procedures aim to re-establish cushioning within the joint and prevent additional wear on surrounding cartilage and bone.
Preventing Knee Cartilage Injuries
Preventing knee cartilage injuries involves maintaining good joint health through balanced activities and appropriate habits. Regularly warming up before physical activities and performing stretching exercises can prepare muscles and joints for movement, reducing injury risks. Strengthening exercises, particularly for the quadriceps and hamstrings, can provide better knee support. Maintaining a healthy weight helps minimise stress on the knee joints, while wearing suitable footwear ensures proper alignment and cushioning during activities.
When to Seek Medical Advice
If knee pain, swelling, or reduced movement persists beyond a few days or worsens with time, consulting a healthcare professional is recommended. Sudden locking of the joint or a sensation of instability may indicate significant damage requiring medical intervention. Early evaluation can identify the issue and allow for timely treatment to prevent further joint complications. If your discomfort continues, exploring dedicated treatment for persistent knee pain alongside cartilage-specific care can help address the underlying cause.
For persistent knee pain caused by cartilage injuries, seeking knee pain treatment in Singapore can help patients understand their condition and explore appropriate non-surgical or surgical treatment options.
Conclusion
Knee cartilage injuries can limit mobility and lead to long-term discomfort if not addressed. Recognising the symptoms and learning about the available treatment options can help manage the condition effectively. A combination of timely intervention, rehabilitation, and preventive measures supports joint health and reduces the likelihood of further complications.
Dr Kau (许医生) is a Fellowship trained Orthopaedic Surgeon with a subspecialty interest in Hip and Knee surgery and has been in practice for more than 15 years.
He is experienced in trauma and fracture management, sports injuries, and joint replacement surgery.
Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh, Orthopaedics (FRCS, Edin) 2014
Master of Medicine (Orthopaedics), Singapore (MMed) 2013
Member of the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland (MRCS, Ire) 2009
Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBBS, Singapore) 2004
Living with knee osteoarthritis, the gradual wearing down of the cartilage that cushions your knee joint, can make even simple daily activities feel like a challenge. Understanding the different types of knee braces for osteoarthritis that patients in Singapore can access is a practical starting point for taking control of your joint health. Understanding the […]
Knee pain that makes you hesitate before climbing stairs, or stiffness that greets you every morning before you have even taken your first step, are experiences many people quietly endure, often assuming they are simply part of getting older. Knee arthritis is a common reason people seek orthopaedic care. Understanding Knee Arthritis Knee discomfort can […]
Not all knee replacement implants are designed identically, and differences between designs can influence how a prosthesis functions over time. An implant typically consists of three main components: a metal cap for the femur (thighbone), a metal plate with a plastic spacer for the tibia (shinbone), and often a plastic button for the patella (kneecap). […]
When patients ask “how long does robotic knee surgery last,” they are usually asking two separate questions: how long the procedure takes on the day, and how long the replacement will hold up over time. This article addresses both. What Is Robotic Knee Surgery? Robotic knee surgery is a surgical technique in which a robotic […]
A robotic knee replacement procedure typically takes between 60 and 120 minutes in the operating theatre. While the core surgical duration is comparable to conventional methods, additional time is allocated for intraoperative system registration and real-time mapping of your unique joint anatomy. Factors such as patient anatomy, surgical complexity, and pre-operative planning workflow can also […]
Robotic knee replacement uses computer-assisted technology to help your surgeon plan implant positioning before bone cuts are made. The ROSA Knee System by Zimmer Biomet can create a three-dimensional model of your knee from standard X-ray images, or can be used with an imageless workflow where your anatomy is mapped during surgery. Real-time intraoperative feedback […]
Partial knee replacement preserves healthy bone and ligaments while replacing only the damaged compartment of the knee, and it may support faster recovery and more natural movement than total knee replacement in suitable candidates. Surgical and Anaesthetic Risks Partial knee replacement is performed under spinal or general anaesthesia, and both the anaesthetic and the surgery […]
Patients considering knee replacement often ask how long the implant will last before needing further attention. Long-term registry data suggest modern implants typically remain functional for 15 to 25 years, with many patients continuing to experience good function well beyond that range. Actual longevity depends on a combination of factors, including implant design, activity level, […]
Knee replacement becomes a consideration when cartilage damage progresses beyond what conservative treatments can manage, replacing damaged joint surfaces with metal and plastic components designed to support smoother movement. Most candidates have tried physiotherapy, medication, and injections for months or years first, and evaluation typically weighs pain severity, functional limitations, and imaging findings rather than […]
Knee replacement surgery involves removing damaged cartilage and bone and replacing them with metal and plastic components designed to support joint function. Robotic-assisted and traditional approaches work toward this goal through different methods: one utilises computer-guided technology to assist with planning and bone preparation, while the other relies on manual instrumentation and surgical technique. […]
