Knee cartilage injuries

There are two types of cartilage within the knee, the surface or chondral cartilage and the meniscus. Either can be damaged due to injury or degenerative change. Once damaged, they often don’t heal due to the relatively poor blood supply. Symptoms may include catching or lock from the knee which can be painful.

Our knee specialists will make an assessment in an initial consultation. There may also be swelling and kneecap instability and sometimes clicking. In a small proportion of cases, symptoms can settle following rest but may return once the activity is resumed. If symptoms don’t settle then a knee arthroscopy should be considered. In some cases, the cartilage tear can be repaired but mostly it is removed to alleviate symptoms.

Mr Sean Curry

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon (Knee and Hip)