What Are the Different Types of Cartilage Damage?
There are three basic types of cartilage including elastic cartilage, fibrocartilage, and hyaline cartilage. All three kinds of cartilage are subject to cartilage damage due to a variety of factors including weight, physical activity, and wear and tear. While all types of damage to cartilage may cause pain, articular cartilage damage is the most severe. Articular cartilage can be placed withing the “hyaline cartilage” category. This type of cartilage can be found between joints, and it protects joints from absorbing a great deal of stress. Most articular cartilage injuries occur within the knee area causing immobility, swelling, and pain. The cartilage within the knee area can become damaged due to a direct impact such as falling or coming in contact with a blunt object. People who participate in particularly aggressive sports often fall prey to articular cartilage damage.
