Articular Cartilage Injury Specialist
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Steven E. Nolan, MD
Steven E. Nolan, M.D.
Orthopedic Surgeon & Sports Medicine located in Sugar Land, TX
The articular cartilage in our knees form the joints, making our movements smooth and comfortable. Any injury to the articular cartilage causes not only makes moving painful but also requires medical attention. Dr. Steven E. Nolan’s expertise in orthopedic surgery and sports medicine qualifies him to perform the necessary treatment for your particular injury. Schedule an appointment at Steven E. Nolan, MD in Sugar Land, Texas by calling or booking online.
Articular Cartilage Injury Q & A
What is an articular cartilage injury?
Articular cartilage lines the ends of bones for protection and makes movement smooth and comfortable.
Damage to this cartilage is considered an acute knee injury and can lead to loose bodies floating within the joint. Since the articular cartilage has no direct blood supply, healing tends to be extremely slow and gradual.
What causes articular cartilage injuries?
Damage to the articular cartilage is typically a sports-related injury, resulting from powerful impacts on the knee joint. It may also occur with normal wear and tear or muscle weakness.
An articular cartilage injury can occur as an isolated condition or in tandem with other knee injuries. It’s best to seek out Dr. Steven Nolan’s professional advice if you think you may have injured your articular cartilage.
What are symptoms of an articular cartilage injury?
Like most injuries of the knee, you may experience pain and swelling with an articular cartilage injury.
The knee joint tends to lock due to the loose, floating bodies within. You may also be able to hear clunking and clicking noises when moving the knee.
While the most frequent symptom is a dull pain around or under the kneecap that worsens when walking, other specific symptoms include:
- Sudden or gradual onset knee pain
- Swollen knee
- Aching knee
- Knee joint pain
Visit Dr. Nolan if you experience any of these symptoms and eliminate the potential for osteoarthritis or other ensuing damage to the knee.
How is an articular cartilage injury treated?
Depending on the severity of your injury, some methods of treatment involve surgery, stimulating the growth of new cartilage, or total knee replacement.
Upon its onset, however, you should apply the RICE method to alleviate an articular cartilage injury. This involves rest, ice, compression, and keeping the leg elevated to help minimize swelling.
Seek out Dr. Steven Nolan for a proper diagnosis and treatment measure, which may require an X-ray or arthroscopy. He can determine the extent of the injury and foster effective rehabilitation.
