What is Cartilage?
Cartilage is a tough yet flexible connective tissue that keeps our joint motion smooth by coating the surfaces of the bones in our joints (to create a low-friction environment) and cushioning bones against impact.
It is the main type of connective tissue found throughout the body, and exists in in different forms in our joints (knees, hips, ankles, elbows, shoulders), spine, lungs, ears and nose.
Do you know that knee cartilage injuries in Singapore are one of the most common sports and trauma conditions that we treat?
Speak to our specialist at 8028 4572 for a prompt diagnosis.
Cartilage Damage
The cartilage tissues can be damaged either through injury or wear-and-tear over the years.
Compared to other types of connective tissue, the cartilage is known to be difficult to heal on its own without treatment, due to its very limited blood supply and low cell turnover rate.
How Joint (Articular) Cartilage Injuries Are Sustained
The articular cartilage refers to the smooth tissue that covers the ends of bones where they come together to form joints.
Possible causes include:
- A forceful impact to the joint from sports or a fall
- Repetitive impact to the joint
- Twisting the joint while it is bearing weight
- Wear and tear over time
- Poor joint alignment due to deformity (genetic or previous injury)
Symptoms of an Articular Cartilage Injury
- Pain in the joint
- Swelling of the joint
- Reduced range of motion
- Clicking or grinding sensation
- Locking or giving way of the joint
Seek medical attention from an orthopaedic surgeon should the symptoms worsen or persist despite sufficient rest and self-treatment after a few days; if the joint looks crooked, or if you notice numbness, coldness or discoloration in the area.
If you think you might have sustained a cartilage injury, consult Dr James Tan at 8028 4572 for an accurate diagnosis and treatment.
How is a Damaged Articular Cartilage Treated?
There are various treatments available, depending on the patient’s age, overall health, physical activity level, as well as the type and severity of the injury. At Quantum Orthopaedics, we provide comprehensive knee cartilage injury treatment in Singapore, as well as treatment for all other articular cartilage injuries.
Non-Surgical Treatment
It must be noted that non-surgical treatments cannot repair damaged articular cartilage – but they can help reduce the patient’s pain and improve their strength and mobility.
In suitable cases, these may include:
- Resting the affected joint
- Applying ice and elevating the joint to reduce swelling
- Taking over-the-counter pain relief or anti-inflammatories
- Physiotherapy to improve joint stability and range of motion
- Corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation
- Viscosupplementation to lubricate the affected joint
Surgical Treatment
Surgery is a preferable treatment in many cases, since cartilage injuries do not usually heal well on their own. Some of these methods include:
- Lavage & Debridement: Cleaning out the joint of loose tissue, and trimming of the edges of the damaged area to smoothen them.
- Microfracture: Making tiny holes in the bone and bone marrow under the damaged cartilage, which stimulates the bone to repair itself (through marrow cells), resulting in newly formed cartilage issue.
- Mosaicplasty: Removing a small piece of healthy articular cartilage and underlying bone from a non-weight-bearing part of the joint; and then installing this piece into the injured site, thereby restoring the smooth surface of the cartilage.
- Osteotomy: Changing the alignment of the leg slightly to reduce the amount of pressure placed on the damaged area.
- Joint Replacement: In cases of severe damage, replacing the joint entirely (e.g. knee/hip replacement) may be needed.
