Knee Cartilage Injury

Preventing a Knee Cartilage Injury

Knee cartilage injuries most often result from activity or impact, so taking action to protect your knees can help prevent injury.

Risks & Causes

Common causes of knee cartilage injury include:

• Blow or sudden impact to the knee
• General wear and tear
• Incorrect knee alignment
• Muscle weakness
• Overuse

Prevention Tips

To help prevent knee cartilage injury:

• Avoid abrupt movements or intensity changes when physically active.
• Avoid repeated stress on your kneecap.
• Exercise regularly to build endurance and stamina.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Warm up before exercising.
• Wear comfortable, well-fitting shoes.

Diagnosing a Knee Cartilage Injury

If you suspect a knee cartilage injury, don’t wait to see an orthopedic specialist. Early intervention and treatment can help you get back to doing what you love, faster.

Signs & Symptoms

Symptoms of a knee cartilage injury include:

• Dull pain around or under your kneecap
• Inability to straighten and extend your leg without pain
• Locking up or freezing in the knee joint
• Pain that worsens when climbing stairs or an incline
• Popping or grinding sensation in your knee
• Sharp pain in the knee
• Swelling and inflammation around the knee

Diagnosis

We check for knee cartilage injuries using a physical exam, medical history, and other tests. Diagnostic and imaging tests may include:

• Arthroscopy—to assess knee damage by inserting a small camera into the joint.
• Computerized tomography (CT) scan—to create detailed images of your knee.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)—to examine the structures inside your knee.
• X-rays—of the knee.

Knee Cartilage Injury Treatment

We recommend noninvasive treatment for knee cartilage injury whenever possible, but we have the expertise and skill to repair your knee surgically if needed.

Nonsurgical Treatments

In many cases, rest and activity modification to avoid movements that aggravate the knee can relieve pain until the knee heals.

If you need additional care, treatment options may include:

• Corticosteroid or other injections—to relieve pain and inflammation.
• Exercise—to strengthen the knee and increase mobility.
• Ice—to reduce knee pain and swelling.
• Pain medication—to manage pain and inflammation.
• Physical therapy—to improve range of motion and balance.
• Shoe inserts or other custom orthotics—to provide support.

Surgical Treatments

We may recommend surgery for severe knee cartilage injuries or when extensive damage restricts your mobility and affects your quality of life.

Surgical interventions may include:

• Arthroscopy
• Cartilage transplant
• Knee replacement