Articular cartilage can be damaged in a number of ways

Cartilage damage

chronic or Repetitive actions

Exercise, sports, or physical work can cause cartilage to weaken and wear out with time

acute or Traumatic events

Such as a fall—can cause immediate and severe cartilage damage

Symptoms of knee injuries

Symptoms
of
knee
injuries¹

Cartilage does not
heal on its own

Unlike other tissues, cartilage does not repair itself. That’s why cartilage injuries are chronic and often get worse as time goes on. If conservative treatment has not worked to relieve pain, surgery is often the answer.²

 

Learn about treatment options

 

1. Gomoll AH, et al. Surgical management of articular cartilage defects of the knee. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2010 Oct 20;92(14):2470-90.

2. de Windt TS, et al. Patient profiling in cartilage regeneration: prognostic factors determining success of treatment for cartilage defects. Am J Sports Med. 2009, Nov;37.