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The Dubai Hip and Knee Institute (DHKI) - Dr Hervé Ouanezar

Cartilage Tears

Articular cartilage is a smooth, elastic tissue that covers the ends of bones in joints. It helps facilitate pain-free movement by reducing friction and evenly distributing the forces exerted on the joint during activities.

 

Types of Cartilage Injuries

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  1. Traumatic Injury: These injuries result from an external force or accident, causing localized damage to the cartilage.

  2. Degenerative Injury: Caused by wear and tear over time, often associated with conditions like osteoarthritis.

  3. Osteochondritis Dissecans: A condition where both the cartilage and the underlying bone are affected. It's rare but more common in children and young adults, often following minor trauma or occurring spontaneously. 

TREATMENT

​01. CONSERVATIVE MANAGEMENT

  • Physical Therapy: Focus on strengthening the muscles around the  knee to support the joint and improve stability. 

  • Medications: NSAIDs for pain relief and inflammation reduction.

  • Injections: ​

    • Hyaluronic Acid Injections: Helps improve joint lubrication and reduce pain. 

    • Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP): Promotes healing of the cartilage and reduces inflammation.

  • ​Activity Modification: Avoiding high-impact activities that may exacerbate symptoms.

 
02. SURGICAL TREATMENT

  • Cartilage Repair:

    • If conservative treatments fail, surgical options such as microfracture or autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) may be considered to stimulate cartilage regeneration.

    • Osteochondral Grafting: In cases of large focal tears, this may be necessary to replace the damaged cartilage with healthy tissue. 
       

03. POST-SURGICAL REHABILITATION

  • Gradual return to activity with a focus on restoring strength, flexibility, and knee function.

  • Recovery varies based on the procedure, with more intensive rehab needed for surgical treatments.  ​

 

04. KEY POINT

  • Conservative treatments, including physical therapy and injections, are effective for managing knee cartilage focal tears. Surgery is generally reserved for cases where conservative methods fail to alleviate symptoms or when the tear is more severe.

The Dubai Hip and Knee Institute (DHKI) - Dr Hervé Ouanezar
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