What is an articular cartilage injury?
An articular cartilage injury, or chondral injury, may occur as a result of a pivot or twist on a bent knee, similar to the motion that can cause a meniscus tear. Damage may also be the result of a direct blow to the knee. Chondral injuries may accompany an injury to a ligament, such as the anterior cruciate ligament. Small pieces of the articular cartilage can actually break off and float around in the knee as loose bodies, causing locking, catching, and/or swelling. More often, there is no clear history of a single injury. The patient’s condition may, in fact, result from a series of minor injuries that have occurred over time. Articular cartilage also wears down as a person ages. Chondral damage is graded from mild to severe, and all grades can have characteristics of osteoarthritis.
