Cartilage in the knee plays a vital role in ensuring smooth movement of the bones and acts as a shock absorber during activity. Cartilage injuries in the knee typically result from trauma. There are two types of cartilage in the knee:

• Articular Cartilage: This is the hard cartilage that covers the ends of the thigh bone (femur), the lower leg bone (tibia), and the back of the kneecap.
• Meniscus: This is the soft cartilage that sits between the bones and is commonly known as the meniscus.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Symptoms of a cartilage injury may include knee pain, a sensation of the knee getting stuck or locking during movement, and clicking sounds. To diagnose cartilage injuries, a doctor will conduct a thorough examination and may use imaging techniques such as MRI scans.

Watch video of Meniscal Tears

Watch video of Microfracture

Treatment Options

Cartilage injuries often require surgical intervention, usually performed using keyhole (arthroscopic) procedures. This involves making small incisions in the knee and inserting specialised instruments and cameras into the joint to carry out the surgery. The type of procedure depends on the nature and severity of the cartilage damage:

• Meniscus Repair: The torn meniscus is stitched together to promote healing.
• Meniscus Debridement: If the meniscus tear is irreparable, the damaged areas are trimmed to relieve pain and discomfort.
• Chondroplasty: The edges of damaged cartilage are trimmed and stabilised.
• Microfracture: Small holes are drilled into the damaged areas of cartilage to encourage healing.
• Cartilage Transplant: New cartilage is transplanted onto the damaged areas of the knee cartilage.

Post-Surgery Rehabilitation

After surgery, a specially designed rehabilitation programme is provided to help the patient recover and regain knee function.