Cartilage lesions in the knee affect people of different ages and activity levels, from athletes (professional and non-professional) to the elderly, and significantly affect their mobility and quality of life.
What are knee cartilage lesions?
The knee joint is one of the most complex in the human body, mainly because it lifts a large percentage of the body's weight while providing flexibility of movement. The joint includes several types of cartilage, including the articular cartilage that covers the ends of the bones within the joint and the menisci.
Injuries to these cartilage components can range from mild discomfort to severe damage, usually resulting in pain, swelling and reduced mobility. They can occur through degenerative diseases such as arthritis or through injuries during sporting activities.
Cartilage lesions in the knee can affect anyone, but are most commonly seen in:
- Athletes, especially those involved in high-impact sports such as football and basketball where intense, repetitive movements put significant stress on the knees.
- Seniors, as degenerative changes in cartilage can lead to injuries even with minimal stress.
- People with pre-existing joint conditions, such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.
How are cartilage lesions in the knee caused?
Cartilage lesions in the knee usually result from two main scenarios:
- Traumatic injuries: Sudden impacts or abnormal rotational movements commonly seen in sports can lead to tears in the menisci or fractures in the articular cartilage.
- Degenerative changes: Over time, repeated use and natural aging can wear down cartilage, leading to conditions such as osteoarthritis. Factors such as obesity, improper joint alignment and genetic predisposition can accelerate this wear and tear.
The symptoms of knee cartilage lesions
The symptoms that accompany cartilage lesions often vary depending on the severity of the injury, but typically include:
- Pain, especially when engaging in activities that put pressure on the knee joint.
- Swelling, due to inflammation from the injury.
- Stiffness, especially after periods of inactivity or when moving at the beginning of the day.
- Limited mobility, such as difficulty bending or fully straightening the knee.
- Sound of cracking or creaking, indicative of cartilage fragments within the joint space.
Accurate diagnosis is extremely important for effective treatment and includes physical examination to assess knee stability, range of motion and areas of tenderness, imaging tests such as MRI or X-rays to give specialists detailed images of both all tissues.
How are cartilage lesions in the knee treated?
Treatment varies widely depending on the type and severity of the injury and can include both conservative methods and surgery. Initial treatment often includes rest, ice, compression and elevation (RICE). Physiotherapy to strengthen the muscles around the knee and improve the mechanics of the joint can also be effective and medication can help reduce pain and swelling. Also PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injections can provide relief and help with healing.
For severe cases or when conservative methods fail to produce the desired results, surgery may be the most appropriate approach. There are several techniques to surgically treat cartilage lesions in the knee:
- Microfractures, is an articular cartilage repair surgical technique that works by creating tiny fractures in the underlying bone. This causes new cartilage to develop from a so-called super-clot.
- Chondroplasty, where the damaged original cartilage is repaired or debrided.
- Cartilage transplantation, where the damaged cartilage is replaced or transplanted.
Can cartilage damage to the knee be prevented?
Preventing knee cartilage injuries is possible simply by reducing undue stress on the knee joint with:
- Maintaining a healthy weight. Maintaining a healthy body weight.
- Exercises to strengthen the muscles around the knee, helping to stabilize and protect the joint.
- Using the correct footwear and orthotic devices to reduce the impact on the knees.
- Avoiding high impact activities.
Cartilage knee lesions can directly affect patients' quality of life, but by combining conservative treatments and advanced treatment options, relief can be provided.
To find out more about the treatment of cartilage lesions to the knee, contact us at 6943903343 (secretariat), at 6949196061 (doctor) or at orthopedikos-papagiannopoulos.gr and make an appointment.
