Articular Cartilage Injuries in San Antonio

Causes of Articular Cartilage Injuries

There are two main causes of cartilage injuries: Traumatic Events and Repetitive Stress.

Traumatic Events:

• Taking a fall: Falling on a joint, like the knee or hip, can damage the articular cartilage. Fissures or cracks in the cartilage may result from the impact of the fall, potentially resulting in more severe injuries.

• Sports Injuries: Athletes who play high-impact sports, such as football, basketball, or soccer, are more likely to sustain articular cartilage injuries. A sudden twist, pivot, or blow to the joint can cause these injuries. When a soccer player suddenly changes directions or when he is hit directly by another player, his cartilage may be injured.

• Direct Blows/ Impact: Direct blows to the joint, such as car accidents or collisions during contact sports, can also damage the cartilage. During an impact, cartilage can crack, break off in pieces, or develop full-thickness defects that reveal bone underneath.

Repetitive Stress:

• Overuse: Performing repetitive movements of the joint, such as running, jumping, or squatting, can eventually cause the cartilage to break down. When cartilage is constantly stressed and strained, it thins and wears away over time, increasing the risk of injury and degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis.

• Poor Joint Alignment: Articular cartilage injuries are more likely to occur in individuals with abnormal joint alignment. Misalignments may result from congenital conditions, such as bowlegs or knock-knees, or from previous injuries that altered the structure of the joint. Incorrect alignment increases the risk of cartilage damage by causing uneven force distribution across the joint.

symptoms of Articular Cartilage Injuries

Articular cartilage injuries can cause the following symptoms:

• Pain in the affected joint

• Swelling around the joint

• Stiffness around the joint

• Joints that feel as if they are "locking" or "catching."

• Range of motion is limited.

• A feeling of grinding in the joints

TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR Articular Cartilage Injuries

Injuries to the articular cartilage are treated based on the severity, size, location, and activity level of the patient. Non-surgical and surgical treatment options are available for articular cartilage injuries. Among the non-surgical treatments are rest, ice therapy, physical therapy, compressions, anti-inflammatory medications, and injections such as corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid. It may be necessary to perform surgical procedures when non-surgical methods are not sufficient. During more severe cases, an arthroscopy, a minimally invasive surgical procedure, may be necessary to repair the damage. can be performed to repair the damage.