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Knee cartilage injuries

What are knee cartilage injuries?

Within the knee joint, the cartilage – the joint surface covering the ends of the bones – acts as a shock absorber that cushions the bones, allowing them to move smoothly.

It can become damaged through arthritis or by an accident where the meniscus is torn during sports such as tennis, hockey, football or skiing.

Mark Burrell completing a marathon

Mark’s keyhole surgery to both knees story

“You sorted my cartilage tears in both knees so well that I have just done the Berlin Marathon, the Basingstoke Half Marathon and today the Chicago Marathon.”

What are the symptoms of a knee cartilage injury?

If a fragment of cartilage is damaged or breaks away, it can cause:

  • Pain, swelling and stiffness in the knee
  • A sensation of grinding or clicking in the joint when it moves
  • Difficulty carrying out everyday activities such as walking, climbing stairs, bending, squatting and kneeling
  • Knee instability (when your knee feels unstable and/or gives way)
  • The joint catching or locking when you bend or straighten your knee

Knee cartilage injury

Knee consultants

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