Download Treatment of Cartilage Injuries Within the Knee

Treatment of Cartilage Injuries Within the Knee
Injury to knee joint cartilage is unfortunately a fairly common event today,
especially as high impact sports and recreational activities have become more popular in
recent decades. Occasionally cartilage damage will be asymptomatic (without pain or
obvious signs of injury). However, these injuries are commonly associated with certain
physical signs and symptoms such as knee pain, swelling, clicking, instability or locking.
When we talk about cartilage injuries in the knee it is important to keep in mind
that not all injuries are the same. There are two different types of cartilage in the knee.
One type is called Hyaline or Articular Cartilage. This kind of cartilage coats the end of
the bones that make up the knee joint. It is similar to the white area that is seen at the end
of a chicken bone. One of its primary functions is to create a smooth, low friction gliding
surface. This is the type of cartilage that can erode over time leading to osteoarthritis.
The second type of cartilage in the knee is called Fibro-cartilage and it is found in
the menisci of the knee. The meniscus is a circular shaped disk of cartilage found
between the weight bearing bones of the knee joint. One of its primary functions is to
absorb weight similar to a shock absorber.
Both of these different types of cartilage are important for healthy motion of the
knee and can be injured after an accident or with wear and tear of life. Furthermore, the
symptoms often overlap, making it sometimes difficult to know which type of cartilage is
injured. Therefore, it is very important to have a qualified physician or Orthopaedic
Surgeon assess you with a thorough physical exam, x-rays and possibly other diagnostic
tests if these types of injuries are suspected.
If you do have cartilage damage that causes pain or disability, the treatment
depends on several factors. Some important considerations are patient age, health,
activity level, pain level, degree of injury or damage within the knee, duration of
symptoms as well as prior surgeries or treatments.
If surgery is necessary, arthroscopic or open surgery may be recommended. In
general, for injury to the menisci (cartilage discs within the knee), the cartilage tear may
be removed or repaired with sutures if possible.
For injuries to the Hyaline Cartilage (cartilage that coats the end of the bones),
there are often more treatment options available. One conservative option may involve
injection of gels or medications within the knee. Other procedures involve using
arthroscopy to make small holes within the cartilage defect. This often allows the body’s
own repair cells to make a type of repair cartilage that can partially fill the defect.
More advanced methods of cartilage repair are now available and involve using
human cartilage, either from a donor or from your own body to resurface the cartilage
defect. These types of treatments often provide the best quality of cartilage repair,
however they are associated with higher amounts of rehabilitation and recovery time.
Again, it is very important to consult with an Orthopaedic Surgeon who is
familiar with these types of injuries in order to find out if you may be a candidate for one
of these possible treatment options. Treatment delay can lead to worsening symptoms as
well as irreversible progressive damage within the knee joint. In either case, early
recognition of the injury and follow up with a qualified surgeon often leads to the best
possible outcome.