Knee Cartilage Injuries

1. Traumatic Injury: Direct blows to the knee, sudden twists, falls, or sports-related injuries can cause traumatic cartilage injuries, such as focal defects or tears.
2. Repetitive Stress: Activities that involve repetitive impact or loading of the knee joint, such as running, jumping, or squatting, can lead to overuse injuries and gradual wear and tear of the cartilage.
3. Degenerative Changes: Aging, obesity, and underlying conditions such as osteoarthritis can contribute to the gradual breakdown of cartilage over time, leading to degenerative cartilage injuries.

1. Pain: Persistent or intermittent pain in the knee joint, particularly with weight-bearing activities or movement, is a common symptom of cartilage injuries.
2. Swelling: Swelling or fluid accumulation in the knee joint, known as joint effusion, may occur due to inflammation and irritation of the damaged cartilage.
3. Stiffness: Patients may experience stiffness or limited range of motion in the knee joint, especially after prolonged periods of inactivity or rest.
4. Catching or Locking Sensation: Some individuals may report a sensation of catching, locking, or giving way in the knee joint, particularly during movement.

Diagnosing cartilage injuries to the knee typically involves a combination of clinical evaluation and imaging studies, including:

• Physical Examination: Assessment of knee range of motion, stability, and provocative tests to identify areas of tenderness or joint line pain.
• Imaging Studies: X-rays, MRI scans, or CT scans may be ordered to visualize the cartilage, assess the extent of the injury, and identify any associated abnormalities, such as bone lesions or ligament tears.

Conservative Management:

• Activity Modification: Avoiding high-impact activities and modifying exercise routines to reduce stress on the knee joint.
• Physical Therapy: Strengthening exercises, stretching, and proprioceptive training to improve knee stability and function.
• Pain Management: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroid injections, or viscosupplementation may help alleviate pain and inflammation.

Surgical Intervention:

• Arthroscopic Debridement: Minimally invasive procedure to remove loose or damaged cartilage fragments and smooth out irregularities in the joint surface.
• Microfracture: Surgical technique that involves creating small holes in the underlying bone to stimulate the formation of new cartilage-like tissue.
• Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI): Advanced procedure in which healthy cartilage cells (chondrocytes) are harvested from the patient, cultured in a lab, and then implanted into the cartilage defect to promote repair.
• Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation: Surgical procedure in which a graft containing both cartilage and bone from a cadaveric donor is used to replace damaged cartilage and restore joint function.

Recovery from cartilage injuries to the knee depends on the severity of the injury, the chosen treatment approach, and individual factors such as age and activity level. Following surgical intervention, a comprehensive rehabilitation program is essential to optimize outcomes and facilitate a safe return to activities. This typically involves a gradual progression of exercises under the guidance of a physical therapist, with the goal of improving knee strength, stability, and range of motion.