There are two different types of cartilage inside the knee. The first is called the “articular” cartilage, and is the smooth, shiny material covering the ends of the bones. This cartilage allows the joint to move smoothly and without friction; it may be damaged from a specific trauma, as in sports or accidents, or it may be damaged through gradual “wear-and-tear” (arthritis). The second type of cartilage is called mensicus cartilage – these are ring-shaped shock absorbers between the thigh bone and shin bone. There are two in each knee – one on the inner side of the knee (the medial meniscus) and one on the outer side (the lateral meniscus). These structures can also be injured via athletic injury or other trauma, or from more gradual degeneration.
Many cartilage injuries are managed without surgery, using treatments including anti-inflammatory medication, joint injection, braces, and physical therapy. When surgical intervention is needed, our treatment of cartilage injury may involve one or more strategies. See below for specific information on the various approaches that may be utilized.
