SPORTS INJURIES
Cartilage Injury Treatment
Knee cartilage damage is a leading cause of joint pain and instability. Because articular cartilage lacks a direct blood supply, these "potholes" in the joint surface cannot heal on their own and require clinical intervention to prevent progressive wear. Dr David Kitchen provides specialised assessment and surgery for sports-related cartilage defects at the sportsmed Stepney and Henley Beach Healthcare Hubs.
What is a Cartilage Injury?
Articular cartilage is the smooth, resilient tissue covering the bone ends within your knee. It allows for near-frictionless movement and acts as a much-needed buffer during high-velocity sports.
A cartilage injury (or chondral defect) happens when a section of this surface is torn or scraped away. During sport, this usually happens during a heavy landing, a direct blow to the knee or a sudden pivot that ‘chips’ the joint surface. This makes it uneven within the joint, like a pothole on a road, which causes pain and inflammation as the knee moves.
Common Symptoms for Cartilage Damage
As cartilage does not contain nerves, the pain usually comes from the underlying bone or the joint lining (synovium) becoming irritated. Symptoms include:
Intermittent swelling where the joint produces extra fluid after training or games.
Mechanical catching like a sensation that something is snagging inside the knee during movement.
Joint line pain: localised discomfort that worsens with weight-bearing or high-impact activity.
Locking, where the knee may sometimes stick, often by a piece of cartilage floating in the joint fluid.
Is Surgery Recommended for Cartilage Injuries?
Minor surface wear may be able to be managed with activity modification and physiotherapy. A clinical review or surgery with Dr David Kitchen may be recommended when:
Acute Chondral Defects
A full-thickness hole is identified on an MRI following a specific sporting trauma.
Loose Bodies
Fragments of cartilage have broken off and are migrating within the joint, causing pain or locking.
Persistent Mechanical Symptoms
Pain and catching prevent a return to running, jumping, or pivoting.
Biological Suitability
The patient has healthy surrounding tissue and stable joint alignment, which is necessary for the procedure to succeed.
A detailed clinical assessment at our Stepney or Henley clinics, supported by imaging, is necessary before making a treatment decision. Dr David Kitchen will discuss all surgical and non-surgical options with you.
Potential Benefits of Cartilage Surgery
Joint Surface Repair
Filling the focal ‘pothole’ to create a smooth, near-frictionless gliding surface for the knee.
Alleviating Mechanical Symptoms
Repairs may reduce the catching or snagging sensations caused by uneven cartilage edges or loose fragments.
Weight-Bearing Pain Management
The surgery can reduce the inflammatory ache that occurs when the underlying bone is exposed to pressure during weight-bearing activities.
Joint Preservation
Addressing localised damage early may slow the progression of widespread wear and secondary osteoarthritis.
About the Surgery
Dr David Kitchen uses several types of surgical techniques that depend on the size and location of the wear. These are performed arthroscopically (keyhole surgery) at Burnside Hospital or Stepney and include:
AutoCart™ (Single-Stage ACI)
A single-stage procedure where your own natural cartilage is taken, processed, and re-implanted to stimulate tissue regeneration.
Chondroplasty
Smoothing down frayed edges to prevent them from catching in the joint.
Microfracture
Stimulating a healing response from the bone to fill the defect with new tissue.
OATS / Mosaicplasty
Transferring "plugs" of healthy cartilage to the damaged sporting site.
Recovery & Rehabilitation
Recovery from cartilage surgery is often slower than a ‘trim’ surgery because the new tissue needs time to mature and harden without being compressed by body weight.
Day
1 - 2
Early Protection
Extension brace and bed rest for the first 24 hours.
Week
2 - 6
Protected Loading
Partial weight-bearing (15kg) using crutches. Physio for improving range of knee motion and stimulating cartilage healing.
Week
6 - 12
Gradual Weight-bearing
A stepwise increase to full weight-bearing. Low-impact activities like cycling and swimming may begin.
Month
3 - 12
Strength & Impact
Controlled strengthening. Return to high-impact sports usually occurs between 12 and 16 months as the tissue fully matures.
Risks & Complications
Arthroscopic (keyhole) cartilage surgery is common but it is important to understand the potential risks:
Frequently Asked Questions
TAKE THE NEXT STEP
Focused care for your active lifestyle.
Consulting at sportsmed Stepney & Henley Beach · A GP referral is required.