“It is a normal sign of aging to experience some changes to your knee cartilage over time. Some people experience this as different sounds from their knee as they move. The sound itself is generally not a reason for concern, but its underlying cause can be,” says John Prodromo, MD, an orthopaedic surgeon on the Medical Staff at Penn Medicine Princeton Health. “If you are experiencing pain or discomfort, instability, or stiffness, or if you have trouble putting weight on your knee, you need to see a doctor for an evaluation.”
Causes Can Vary
Beyond normal wear and tear as we age, knee cartilage can be damaged in a number of other ways, including a sudden injury or fall that results in a ligament injury, a meniscus tear where a forceful twist causes damage, or inflammation caused by arthritis or trauma.
“One of the most common causes of cartilage injury involves a pivot, or sudden shift in direction, which is very common in sports, or even a twist as a result of a fall,” says Dr. Prodromo.
A Range of Treatments
For mild injuries, successful treatment may include a combination of physical therapy, rest and anti-inflammatory medications. For more serious injuries, arthroscopic surgery often can be used to treat damaged cartilage and allow the knee to move more freely.
“Of course, if needed, joint replacement is an option,” says Dr. Prodromo, “But for many patients whose knee is otherwise healthy and free of arthritis, and who want to maintain an active lifestyle, we have the option of actually repairing or replacing cartilage.”
Cartilage restoration is often a minimally invasive procedure where the patient’s own healthy cartilage, or tissue from a donor, is implanted in the knee and regenerates over time. The procedure can prevent the future need for a knee replacement and the likelihood of developing arthritis in the joint.
Full recovery time varies, depending on the patient and the details of the procedure, and typically includes physical therapy, which is available at Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center Princeton Rehabilitation.
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