Knee Condition

Cartilage Damage

Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment Options

Articular cartilage is the smooth, gliding surface that caps the bones in your knee. When it is damaged it does not heal on its own — but there is a great deal that modern surgery can do.

Dr. Yousef Muhammad

German Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon | Sports Medicine | Arthroscopy | Joint Replacement

German Board-Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon
DKG Certified Knee Surgeon
AGA Certified Arthroscopic Surgeon
GOTS Certified Sports Physician
FIFA Diploma in Football Medicine
International Experience (Germany & Middle East)
Former Chief of Orthopaedic Surgery (Germany)
14+ Years of Experience

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Articular cartilage is the glassy-smooth, white tissue covering the ends of the bones inside the knee. It lets the joint glide with almost no friction and spreads load across the surface. Unlike most tissues, it has no blood supply — so once damaged, it cannot repair itself.

Anatomy diagram

1. Anatomy & Overview

Articular cartilage is the glassy-smooth, white tissue covering the ends of the bones inside the knee.

Clinical examination

2. Signs & Symptoms

Pain — with activity, localised to one part of the knee.

Diagnostic imaging

3. Diagnosis & Imaging

Because cartilage does not show on a plain X-ray, an MRI is central to diagnosis — it maps the size, depth and location of the defect and the state of the bone beneath.

Treatment

4. Treatment Options

The approach depends on the size and depth of the defect, your age and activity, and the overall health of the joint.

Rehabilitation

5. Recovery & Rehabilitation

Cartilage procedures demand patience: the new tissue must mature and bond before it is loaded, so recovery is protected and gradual — typically several months, with a staged return to impact.

“ Clinical Note from Dr. Yousef Muhammad

Articular cartilage is the smooth, gliding surface that caps the bones in your knee. When it is damaged it does not heal on its own — but there is a great deal that modern surgery can do.

Dr. Yousef Muhammad

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the symptoms of Cartilage Damage?

Pain — with activity, localised to one part of the knee. Swelling — that comes and goes, especially after exercise. Catching or clicking — if a loose fragment moves within the joint. A sense of the knee “giving way” — or not feeling secure.

What causes Cartilage Damage?

A traumatic twist or direct impact during sport. Associated ligament injuries, such as an ACL tear. Repetitive high-impact loading over time. Malalignment that concentrates load on one area.

How is Cartilage Damage diagnosed?

Because cartilage does not show on a plain X-ray, an MRI is central to diagnosis — it maps the size, depth and location of the defect and the state of the bone beneath. Sometimes the full extent is only confirmed at arthroscopy, when the surface can be seen and probed directly.

How is Cartilage Damage treated?

The approach depends on the size and depth of the defect, your age and activity, and the overall health of the joint. Conservative care: Small, stable lesions are often managed with activity modification, strengthening and, in selected cases, injections. Microfracture: Tiny holes in the bone recruit the body’s own repair cells to form new fibrocartilage over a small defect. Cartilage transfer: Healthy cartilage-and-bone plugs are moved to resurface the defect (OATS), restoring a true gliding surface. Cell regeneration: For larger defects, cultured cartilage cells (ACI/MACI) are implanted to grow new tissue tailored to the area.

What does recovery involve?

Cartilage procedures demand patience: the new tissue must mature and bond before it is loaded, so recovery is protected and gradual — typically several months, with a staged return to impact. The reward is a joint surface that is preserved, and the early treatment of damage that would otherwise progress.

Note: This information is for general education only and should not replace a consultation with your doctor.