Key facts
- Cartilage has no nerve endings of its own, so pain comes from the joint reacting around it.
- A focal cartilage injury is different from widespread joint wear.
- MRI helps to describe the injury, and the examination defines its meaning.
- Alignment, strength and load are part of the treatment plan.
- Surgical options exist for selected cases, decided by indication.
What is a knee cartilage injury?
Articular cartilage is the smooth layer covering the ends of the bones inside the knee. It spreads load and lets the surfaces glide. An injury can be a focal defect from a specific event, or a more diffuse change over time. A focal defect in an otherwise healthy joint is a different clinical problem from knee osteoarthritis, and the options differ.
How is it diagnosed?
Through the history, the examination and imaging. MRI describes the surface and the bone underneath, and an X-ray in a standing position shows how the joint spaces load. The findings are read with your symptoms, because a change on a scan does not carry the same meaning in every knee.
Which treatments are discussed?
The plan starts with what supports the joint: strength, movement control and load management, with treatment of other findings that contribute to the pain. Injections have a defined role in selected cases. Surgical options for cartilage exist and are considered when the injury, the alignment and the rest of the joint make them appropriate, and they are discussed individually.
Every procedure has indications, limitations and potential risks, which are discussed individually before a decision is made.
Why is alignment part of the discussion?
How the leg is aligned changes how load passes through each side of the knee. If a cartilage injury sits on a surface that carries more load than it can tolerate, addressing the load is part of protecting it. That is why the examination looks beyond the knee itself.
When to see a specialist
If your knee swells with activity, catches, or if an MRI described a cartilage injury and you want the options explained, a specialist assessment is the next step. Dr. Ronald Barreto sees patients in Dubai, in English and Portuguese, and the clinic team arranges your appointment on WhatsApp.
The WhatsApp line arranges your appointment. The assessment happens in the consultation.
Frequently asked questions
Does knee cartilage grow back?
Articular cartilage has limited capacity to repair itself. Treatment aims to protect the joint and, in selected cases, to address the defect surgically.
Is a cartilage injury the same as arthritis?
No. A focal cartilage defect and widespread joint change are different clinical problems, and the assessment distinguishes them.
Can I exercise with a cartilage injury?
Usually yes, in a form adapted to the injury. Which movements and which loads are appropriate is set in the assessment.
Which doctor assesses knee cartilage injuries in Dubai?
An orthopedic doctor assesses cartilage injuries. Dr. Ronald Barreto holds the licensed title Specialist Trauma and Orthopedic Surgery, and his practice focuses on the knee.
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