The single most important joint in the human body is the knee. It makes us capable of walking, running, bending, jumping, and moving.
The knee contains bones but not personal bones. Cartilage is the most essential element of the knee. Cartilage is slippery smooth tissue and is extremely important in keeping the knee healthy and comfortable.
Knee cartilage is never in the thoughts of everyone until there arises a time when it starts paining or getting hurt. A problem in the cartilage of this type can cause pain, swelling, and even gait issues. It is because of this type of purpose that one needs to learn about knee cartilage, how it works, the problems that can arise, and how one can maintain it in good health.
What Is Knee Cartilage?
It is a special type of connective tissue. It is neither stiffer than bone nor softer than muscle and skin. It is tough, slippery, and elastic. Cartilage protects the end of the bone in the knee so that they never really touch one another. This renders it slippery and not painful to move.
There are two types of cartilage in the knee.
Articular Cartilage – It is thin. It has a smooth coating at the end of the thigh bone (femur). It has shin bone (tibia), and on the back surface of the kneecap (patella). This allows for the bones to slide over each other during walking.
Meniscus Cartilage – There are two menisci of the knee. They are wedges of C-shaped cartilage wedged between the thigh bone and the shin bone. They function as shock absorbers or cushioning, spreading stress in the knee when one walks or jumps.
All these types of cartilage are all working to make the knee strong. They are attempting to make the knee flexible and comfortable.
Why Is Cartilage So Important in the Knee?
Cartilage is not a miscellaneous term because it has a tremendous number of beneficial things to do:
- Cartilage Reduces Friction: Keeps the bones in place so that they will friction against one another smoothly.
- Absorbs Shock: Minimizes the shock of walking, running, and jumping.
- Safeguards Bones: Keeps the bones from grinding on one another and wearing down.
- Allows Movement: Cartilage would render any movement however small painful if it were not present.
If you have good cartilage, you don’t even know you have one. But after you’ve hurt it, then every movement will be painful.
General Cartilage Problems of the Knee
Alright, to give you the unpleasant news, cartilage in the knee does get worn out or get hurt. It could be due to trauma, age, or something else. Some of the most frequent problems with cartilage include:
Cartilage Tears
The tear most frequently happens whenever you rotate your knee in an abnormal way while you are engaging in a sporting activity.
Meniscus teasing is common among sport figures.
Cartilage Wear and Tear (Degeneration)
The cartilage thins and weakens as one gets older.
One of the main osteoarthritis causes, a condition in which bones touch each other and are painful.
Runner’s Knee
Softening of cartilage or cartilage damage under the kneecap.
Throbbing up stairs or after a prolonged sitting period.
Cartilage Trauma
A fall, motor vehicle collision, or sports injury will respectively cause cartilage.
Osteochondritis Dissecans
An uncommon disorder in which a fragment of bone and cartilage within the joint becomes loose.
Symptoms and Signs of Knee Cartilage Disorder
Cartilage degradation may not be possible to discover when it is in its initial stage. But eventually it’ll form unique signs like:
- Knee pain (with weight-bearing or with motion)
- Stiffness or swelling
- Clicky or grinding sensation in knee
- Locking (the knee will lock in one direction)
- Forced bending or straightening of the leg
- Giving way of knee with sense of instability soon
If you have had these symptoms for more than a few days, you need to visit the doctor.
How Do Doctors Diagnose Knee Cartilage Injury?
Some of the exams which the doctors conduct to see if cartilage of knee is injured or not are:
- Physical Examination: The physician examines swelling, pain, and movement of the knee.
- X-rays: Display bone damage but not cartilage.
- MRI Scan: Gives clear picture of the cartilage and soft tissues.
- Arthroscopy: A tiny camera is placed inside the knee so one can visualize the cartilage.
Treatment of Knee Cartilage Issues
Variable based on severity of advanced damage. Some will heal on their own. But others will need surgery.
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Non-Surgical Treatments
- Rest and Ice: Resting and icing with ice packs may minimize swelling and pain.
- Drugs: Painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs can minimize pain.
- Physical Therapy: Isometric knee exercises which may help avoid cartilage damage.
- Injections: Routine injection by physicians of steroid or hyaluronic acid to alleviate pain and enhance mobility.
Surgical Therapies
Surgery cannot be avoided in the case of severe cartilage damage:
- Arthroscopic Surgery: Debridement or resurfacing of broken cartilage through the means of the utilization of minute instruments.
Cartilage Repair Techniques
- Microfracture Surgery: Small holes are pierced into the bone to grow new cartilage.
- Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI): Cartilage cells are harvested, grown in the lab, and re-planted in the knee.
- Osteochondral Graft: Healthy chunk of cartilage is harvested from another part of the body and placed inside the damaged tissue.
- Partial or Total Knee Replacement: Artificial joint replaces knee joint in severe poor arthritis.
Life With Damaged Knee Cartilage
It will be difficult to cope with cartilage issues, but everyone does and there is no chance it will prevent you from living your daily life. Most of the patients are pain-tolerant and keep doing stuff like a normal human being if treated nicely and modifying one’s life. A walking cane or walking aid one can prove to be a lifesaver.
These exercises, support groups, and following the doctor’s advice can all be beneficial.
FAQs
Does cartilage in the knee regrow?
Cartilage will not come back entirely. There are some procedures that will replace new cartilage but not a new cartilage.
What does hurt cartilage feel like?
It will most likely hurt, become inflamed, stiffen, or crunch in the knee.
Will exercise fix hurt cartilage?
Yes, exercise and physical therapy can both strengthen the knee and reduce the load on the knee.
Who would be most likely to get cartilage problems?
Ages, athletes, obese persons, and those with a knee trauma history.
Do all cartilage problems need surgery?
No, they are mostly treated by rest, medicine, and physical therapy. Severe cartilage injury is treated by surgery.
Last Thoughts
Knee cartilage is very important even though it’s very tiny. It avoids bones from rubbing on each other. It also reduces shock, and eases friction in a joint. Damage in it introduces pain, and stiffness. It can cause knee problems and worsen it.
The good news is that if you maintain care, treatment, and lifestyle. Then you can keep your it intact and healthy knees for life. If knee pain, swelling, or clicking persists, do not sweep it under the carpet. Visit a doctor. The knees are movement columns. Thus healthy knees translate into a healthy body and healthy life.
