If the knee joint hurts and mobility is restricted, cartilage damage may be the cause. This widespread condition often restricts everyday life.
Here you will find information on the causes of cartilage damage in the knee and possible treatment measures. You will also find selected specialists for the treatment of cartilage damage in the knee.
In the case of cartilage damage in the knee, the protective cartilage is damaged or worn away. The affected patients suffer considerably from the symptoms, as they experience severe pain when walking and running.
The cartilage in the knee covers the bone ends
This layer of cartilage, the articular cartilage, serves as a shock absorber that enables smooth movement in the knee joint.
Injuries, chronic overloading and age-related wear and tear damage the cartilage, causing the bones to rub against each other. In the long term, this results in painful knee osteoarthritis. The term refers to the condition of the cartilage. The inflammatory disease resulting from wear and tear is known as arthritis.
Left: Healthy cartilage. Right: Cartilage damage to the knee joint © crevis | AdobeStock
How pronounced the symptoms are depends on the condition of the cartilage. Typically, those affected suffer from pain in the area of the knee joint. The intensity of the symptoms varies. Many patients only experience mild pain at the beginning, which worsens over the years. At an advanced stage, those affected complain of severe pain.
Patients suffering from arthritis in particular often report stabbing pain and the feeling that the knee is "locked".
This is accompanied by swelling, which indicates inflammatory processes, and a general feeling of discomfort. These symptoms make movement difficult and significantly restrict the mobility of those affected.
Occasionally, patients hear cracking or crunching noises when they move their knee. Doctors refer to this phenomenon as crepitation. The noises occur when the damaged cartilage surfaces inside the joint rub against each other. Patients describe this sensation as extremely unpleasant.
Common causes of cartilage damage to the knee joint are injuries or traumatic events. A sudden impact or an accident in which the knee twists can damage the cartilage. This occurs, for example, in sports accidents, falls and other unintentional impacts. Direct damage to the cartilage tissue or long-term instability in the knee joint as a result of such injuries can lead to cartilage degeneration.
Repetitive strain and certain exercise routines or sports overload the joint and also cause cartilage damage. People who frequently bend their knee, jump or perform other stressful movements at work or due to their sporting activities are particularly affected.
Cartilage damage often occurs as a result of age-related wear and tear or degenerative changes. With increasing age, the cartilage in the knee loses elasticity and thickness, which increases the risk of damage. At the same time, the natural regenerative capacity of the cartilage layer decreases with age, making recovery from injuries more difficult.
Factors that increase the risk of cartilage damage include
The most common method for diagnosing cartilage damage in the knee is the clinical examination, during which the doctor examines the knee joint. This is how he detects
damage to the cartilage. The doctor asks the patient about their medical history, their sporting and professional activities and any accidents in the past.
Imaging procedures such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirm the diagnosis. The detailed images help the doctor to determine the extent of the cartilage damage so that he can draw up an individual treatment plan.
Occasionally, the doctor will perform a knee arthroscopy. This is a minimally invasive procedure in which the doctor inserts a thin instrument (arthroscope) into the knee joint. The condition of the cartilage and other structures in the joint are displayed live on a monitor. This visualization enables the doctor to fully identify the extent of the cartilage damage.
The arthroscope can also be used to carry out small repairs to the cartilage tissue.
The type of treatment depends on the extent of the cartilage damage and the symptoms that occur.
In milder cases, specialists opt for a conservative treatment approach. This includes
The aim of the conservative treatment approach is to prevent or slow down the progression of the disease. To this end, patients strengthen the muscles around the knee and improve the stability of the knee joint.
In advanced cases, doctors often recommend surgical therapies. These include arthroscopic procedures such as cartilage smoothing (shaving) and cartilage repair.
In some cases, a cartilage transplant or the implantation of replacement material for the cartilage is necessary. This is to replace or repair the damaged tissue.
Various specialists are involved in the treatment of cartilage damage. An orthopaedist or sports physician is usually the first point of contact for any complaints in the knee joint.
Other specialists are involved in an operation, for example an anesthetist and a knee surgeon.
The prognosis of the course of the disease and the effectiveness of the treatment measures depend on
health condition. In the early stages, the conservative treatment approach has proven to be effective. Conservative therapy cannot permanently stop the progressive damage to the cartilage. However, it does help to maintain the functionality of the joint for many years.
In some cases, the conservative therapy approach significantly alleviates the symptoms, which is accompanied by increased freedom of movement.
Surgical procedures, in particular the transplantation of cartilage material, often noticeably improve the patient's quality of life. However, cartilage damage is a chronic disease. Doctors therefore often try to alleviate the symptoms rather than eliminate the cause.
Cartilage damage in the knee causes pain and restricted mobility. Those affected suffer from symptoms such as
Cartilage damage in the knee is diagnosed through clinical examinations and imaging procedures. In some cases, the doctor will perform an arthroscopy to determine the extent of the damage.
The treatment options vary depending on the severity of the cartilage damage. In milder cases, the doctor will prescribe conservative therapies to strengthen the muscles around the knee. In more advanced cases, surgical procedures such as cartilage smoothing, cartilage repair or cartilage transplantation may be considered.
If a doctor diagnoses the disease at an early stage, conservative therapies slow down the progression of the disease - thus maintaining the knee's ability to function. Surgical interventions help to alleviate the symptoms and restore quality of life and freedom of movement to those affected.
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