Patient Education
To help you understand and navigate through your orthopedic health decisions, we have created a patient education section. Please select from one of the categories below to learn more about your condition or procedure:
About Cartilage Injuries
Articular cartilage is the smooth, white connective tissue that covers the ends of bones in joints, allowing them to glide smoothly over each other. It acts as a shock absorber, enabling joints to withstand weight-bearing and movement. Articular cartilage has no direct blood supply, making it difficult to heal once injured.
Traumatic injuries:
- Direct impact or trauma can cause articular cartilage damage, such as a cartilage shear injury where a piece of cartilage shears off the bone.
Degenerative injuries:
- Progressive wear and tear over time can lead to cartilage softening, fragmentation, and eventual loss (osteoarthritis).
Common Symptoms
- Pain and swelling in the affected joint
- Catching, locking, or grinding sensations when moving the joint
- Feeling of instability or “giving way” in the joint
- Stiffness and reduced range of motion
Cause & Anatomy
- Forceful impacts to the joint from sports injuries or falls
- Repetitive smaller impacts or overuse
- Twisting the joint while weight-bearing (e.g., twisting the knee with foot planted)
- Poor joint alignment due to congenital abnormalities or previous injuries
Diagnosis
- Patient history and physical examination
- Imaging tests like X-rays and MRI to visualize cartilage damage
- Arthroscopy may be performed for direct visualization
Prevention
Maintain Proper Physical Conditioning
- Being in good physical condition with adequate muscle strength, flexibility, and endurance can help reduce the risk of cartilage injuries, especially in athletes.
- Incorporate strength training, stretching, and cardiovascular exercises into your routine.
Warm Up and Cool Down Properly
- Perform warm-up exercises before activities to prepare the muscles, joints, and cartilage for the demands of exercise or sports.
- Cool down after activities to gradually reduce the workload on the joints and cartilage.
Use Proper Technique and Equipment
- Learn and practice proper techniques for your sport or activity to avoid excessive stress on the joints.
- Wear appropriate, well-fitting protective equipment like knee pads or braces if recommended for your activity.
Avoid Excessive Overuse
- Gradually increase the intensity, duration, and frequency of activities to allow the body to adapt.
- Vary activities to avoid repetitive stress on the same joints and cartilage.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
- Excess body weight increases the load and stress on weight-bearing joints like the knees, increasing the risk of cartilage damage over time.
Treat Injuries Promptly
- If a cartilage injury occurs, follow the RICE protocol (rest, ice, compression, elevation) and seek medical attention to prevent further damage.
- Allow adequate time for healing and follow recommended rehabilitation protocols before returning to activities.
Consider Preventive Exercises
- Neuromuscular training programs that focus on proper movement patterns, balance, and proprioception may help reduce the risk of cartilage injuries, especially in high-risk sports.
Treatment
Non-surgical:
- Rest, ice, compression, elevation (RICE)
- NSAIDs for pain and inflammation
- Physical therapy and activity modification
Surgical (for larger defects):
- Arthroscopic debridement to remove loose cartilage
- Marrow stimulation techniques like microfracture
- Osteochondral grafting (autograft or allograft)
- Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI)
The goals are to relieve symptoms, restore joint function, and prevent or delay the onset of osteoarthritis.
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