Can you wear out the cartilage in your knee?
What is Cartilage Damage? The slippery articular cartilage that coats your bones helps with smooth movement. If it’s torn or worn, it can leave the rough bone surfaces exposed – resulting in friction in the joint. Damaged cartilage can potentially lead to knee arthritis, with long-term effects on your knee function.
What happens when knee cartilage wears away?
When the articular cartilage of the knee becomes damaged or worn, it becomes painful and the knee is hard to move. Instead of sliding over each other, the bones rub and crush together. With a prosthesis, the patient will feel less pain, and the knee will move properly.
What causes cartilage to wear away in the knee?
Cartilage loss caused by a direct injury can result from blunt trauma to the joint. This can be from a severe car accident or even a very bad fall where the joint makes direct impact with the ground. If you’re an athlete, sporting injuries are also a cause of cartilage loss.
What can be done for worn knee cartilage?
Treatments for cartilage damage
- protect the affected area from further injury by using a support, such as a knee brace.
- rest the affected joint.
- elevate the affected limb and apply an ice pack to the joint regularly.
How do you know when the cartilage in your knee is gone?
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.
How can I strengthen my knees without cartilage?
- Straight Leg Raises. If your knee’s not at its best, start with a simple strengthening exercise for your quadriceps, the muscles in the front of the thigh.
- Hamstring Curls. These are the muscles along the back of your thigh.
- Prone Straight Leg Raises.
- Wall Squats.
- Calf Raises.
- Step-Ups.
- Side Leg Raises.
- Leg Presses.
Can cartilage be repaired without surgery?
While cartilage does not regrow or replace itself, it can be repaired or supplanted by a few different treatment options. Many cartilage injuries can be treated without surgery, via physical therapy and anti-inflammatory medication. This is especially true if you have a sedentary to moderately active lifestyle.
How do you repair damaged cartilage?
Surgery is often the best treatment option for damaged articular cartilage since it does not heal well on its own. Some surgeries aim to relieve symptoms, while other surgical procedures are intended to repair and restore damaged articular cartilage.