What causes knee cartilage injury?

Cartilage covers the ends of bones and helps the knee move smoothly. A forceful landing, collision, or twist can bruise, crack, or detach a small area of cartilage and the bone beneath it. A patellar dislocation can press or shear the cartilage behind the kneecap as the kneecap moves out of position. Repeated loading may also irritate a previously injured area. Pain with bending, swelling after activity, catching, clicking, or a feeling that the knee gives way can occur, but symptoms do not show the exact depth or location of damage.

Reduce impact activities and avoid deep bending or twisting if these provoke pain. Use support and cold applied through a cloth for short periods after swelling begins. Arrange an orthopaedic or physiotherapy assessment, especially after the kneecap has shifted out of place. Examination may be combined with imaging to assess cartilage, bone, alignment, and associated ligament injury. Rehabilitation commonly focuses on restoring movement, strength, and control in a gradual way.

Seek urgent assessment if the knee is visibly displaced, locked so it cannot straighten, very swollen soon after trauma, or impossible to bear weight on. Prompt review is also sensible when repeated giving-way, catching, or swelling continues after an injury. A cold or numb foot, severe deformity, or rapidly worsening pain requires emergency care.

Ask whether the cartilage injury is linked to kneecap instability, whether imaging is needed, and which activities should pause. Ask about bracing, rehabilitation goals, expected milestones, and symptoms that would indicate a loose fragment or another injury.