Cartilage damage

All joint surfaces are covered with cartilage which fulfils two important functions: Firstly, the smooth surface is used, together with the joint fluid, to create an uninterrupted sliding movement in the joint. Secondly, the joint cartilage acts as a mechanical buffer, i.e. it transfers the pressure and impact stress of the joint onto the bone and balances them out. (Illustration of a joint, e.g. a knee with a cartilage surface) Acute damage to the articular cartilage can for example, be caused by injuries. But incorrect leg alignment (pronounced knock knees and bow legs) promote one-sided chronic cartilage damage in the joint through incorrect stress. As cartilage does not grow back, these joints need immediate treatment. Longer-lasting damage is not repairable. This also explains why, in the course of heavy stress, e.g. during exercise, or through repeated small-scale damage which as such, is usually not taken seriously, chronic cartilage damage arises. Ultimately, this can lead to osteoarthritis. It is therefore very important to detect and treat cartilage damage and its causes early on.

Symptoms: In the case of fresh cartilage injury, side effects occur such as capsular sprain and bruising with pain. The damaged cartilage does not cause pain itself. As such, many cartilage injuries are not recognised. It is only the chronic damage with the loss of cartilage substance which causes pain and joint swelling which occurs in the case of stress, as well as rest.

Therapy: Conservative therapy encompasses detailed advice on avoiding incorrect strain, changes to sport-related activity right through to drug treatment, physiotherapy and the possible prescription of orthopaedic aids. The operational procedures which we usually carry out at a minimally invasive level with the aid of arthroscopy include the smoothing of cartilage, the freshening of cartilage and cartilage transplantation.