What is an Articular Cartilage Injury
Articular cartilage injury is damage to the cartilage that lines the surface of joints (articular cartilage). Articular cartilage is also called hyaline cartilage. The cartilage is smooth, white tissue that covers the ends of bones where they meet at a joint.
This cartilage allows smooth movement of the joint. It also acts as a thin cushion between the bones of the joint. Injuries to joint cartilage can cause pain and decrease range of movement.
Articular cartilage damage can occur from a recent (acute) injury or from wear and tear that takes place over time.
The knee joint is the most common area for this type of injury. Articular cartilage injuries are also common in the ankle, shoulder, and hip.
What are the causes?
This injury may be caused by:
- A fall.
- A hard, direct hit to the joint.
- Long-term wear and tear of a joint.
- Other
injuries, such as:
- Joint fracture or dislocation.
- A tear of joint cartilage.
What increases the risk?
The following factors may make you more likely to develop this condition:
- Older age.
- Participating in sports.
What are the signs or symptoms?
Symptoms of this condition include:
- Pain and swelling in the joint.
- Giving way or locking of the joint.
- Decreased range of motion of the joint.
- A crackling or clicking sound within the joint when it moves.
How is this diagnosed?
This condition may be diagnosed based on your symptoms, your history of injury, and a physical exam. You may also have tests, such as:
- MRI.
- A procedure in which a thin scope is used to check inside the joint (arthroscopy).
How is this treated?
Treatment depends on the severity of the injury and the joint that is involved. Treatment options include:
- Resting the joint.
- Icing the joint.
- Medicines that reduce swelling and pain (NSAIDs).
- Injecting a steroid medicine into the joint.
- Wearing a splint, brace, or sling.
- Physical therapy.
- Surgery.
This may involve any of the following:
- Drilling holes through the cartilage into bone under it to improve blood flow.
- Removing torn or damaged cartilage.
- Replacing cartilage with a type of cartilage graft.
- Replacing the entire joint.
Follow these instructions at home:
If you have a splint, brace, or sling:
- Wear it as told by your health care provider. Remove it only as told by your health care provider.
- Loosen the splint or brace if your fingers or toes tingle, become numb, or turn cold and blue.
- Do notlet your splint, brace, or sling get wet if it is not waterproof.
- Keep the splint, brace, or sling clean.
Managing pain, stiffness, and swelling
- If directed,
apply ice to the injured area:
- Put ice in a plastic bag.
- Place a towel between your skin and the bag.
- Leave the ice on for 20 minutes, 2–3 times per day.
- If
directed, apply heat to the affected area before you exercise. Use the
heat source that your health care provider recommends, such as a moist
heat pack or a heating pad.
- Place a towel between your skin and the heat source.
- Leave the heat on for 20–30 minutes.
- Remove the heat if your skin turns bright red. This is especially important if you are unable to feel pain, heat, or cold. You may have a greater risk of getting burned.
Driving
- Ask your health care provider when it is safe to drive if you have a splint, brace, or sling on your joint.
- Do notdrive or operate heavy machinery while taking prescription pain medicine.
General instructions
- If you have a splint, do notput pressure on any part of the splint until it is fully hardened. This may take several hours.
- Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
- Return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you.
- Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.
How is this prevented?
- Maintain physical fitness, including strength and flexibility of the muscles around your joints.
- Warm up and stretch properly before doing physical activity.
- Use protective equipment that fits properly.
- Wear proper footwear for the physical activity that you are doing.
Contact a health care provider if:
- Your symptoms do not improve in 2 weeks even though you have had treatment.
- You have increased pain, swelling, or stiffness.
