How common is cartilage damage?
It is hard to estimate exactly how common cartilage damage is because many people with mild cartilage damage do not seek medical help. However, cartilage damage is thought to be quite common. Every year in the UK, around 10,000 people have cartilage damage that is serious enough to require treatment. Cases of accidental cartilage damage are most common in people under 35 years old. This is because this age group are more likely to take part in sporting activities where there is a higher risk of injury than older people. Cartilage damage that is associated with osteoarthritis is more common in adults who are 50 years old or over. It is also more common in women than in men.
