Knee injuries - the articular cartilage

Reviewed by Mr Dai Rees, consultant orthopaedic surgeon

What types of knee injuries are there?

In the knee, there are several structures: the collateral ligaments, the meniscus, cruciate ligaments and articular (joint) cartilages.

If there is injury to the knee, it is possible that more than one of these structures may be injured at the same time.

Articular cartilage injuries

Damage to the knee can cause lesions to the articular lining cartilage in the knee joint, or sometimes to both the cartilage and the bone.

If the injury is restricted to the cartilage, it will not show up in an X-ray, but can be found by means of arthroscopy (using a special instrument to look inside the joint).

If, on the other hand, a cartilage/bone injury occurs, symptoms may include swelling and pain when bending the knee.

In some cases arthroscopy can be used to 'smooth' the cartilage. Although new cartilage cannot grow to take its place, scar tissue appears.

It is also possible to transplant some cartilage from an unstrained part of the knee. Another option is to remove some cartilage cells and reproduce them in the damaged area so that new cartilage will grow. However, both these types of treatment are expensive and cannot guarantee good results.

Detached cartilage or bone in the knee joint

If a piece of cartilage or bone has become detached in the knee and the injury is not treated immediately, the loose part can 'swim around' in the joint. This means that it may occasionally get stuck, causing pain and a feeling that the knee is locked. The knee may also click and swell up. Such a condition is called a loose body in the knee.

If the injury is fairly recent, it is possible to put the piece back in place. More commonly, the loose body may be removed by arthroscopy.

As cartilage does not show up on an X-ray, the loose body will only be visible if it consists of bone.

<<Back



The documents contained in this web site are presented for information purposes only. The material is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner. The materials in this web site cannot and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment. Conditions for use



© Copyright 1998 - 2004 NetDoctor.co.uk - All rights reserved