Knee Chondropathy: Treatment
Knee chondropathy is a degenerative condition characterised by the deterioration of the articular cartilage. Cartilage is a smooth tissue that covers the ends of the bones within the joint and acts as a “shock absorber”, allowing smooth movement and absorbing impact. When the cartilage is damaged, it causes pain, stiffness and restricted mobility, affecting the patient’s quality of life.
What Causes Knee Chondropathy?
Knee chondropathy can be caused by various factors, which are usually associated with joint degeneration or injuries:
- Age: Over time, cartilage naturally wears down, making chondropathy more common in people over the age of 40.
- Injuries: Knee injuries, such as a sprain or trauma, can damage the cartilage.
- Overuse: Excessive strain due to sports or heavy physical work contributes to cartilage degeneration.
- Anatomical abnormalities: Knees with varus or valgus alignment have an increased risk of developing chondropathy.
- Obesity: Increased body weight places additional pressure on the cartilage, accelerating its degeneration.
Symptoms of Knee Chondropathy
Symptoms vary depending on the severity of the damage. The most common signs include:
- Pain: Mainly located at the front or side of the knee and may worsen during activity or deep squatting.
- Swelling: The knee may become swollen due to inflammation.
- Stiffness: The patient may experience difficulty moving the joint through its full range of motion.
- Grinding sensation: A noise or sensation of “grinding” during knee movement is a common symptom.
- Restricted mobility: Reduced ability to perform simple daily activities.
How Is It Diagnosed?
The diagnosis of knee chondropathy begins with taking a detailed medical history and a physical examination by a specialised orthopaedic surgeon. In some cases, tests may be required, such as:
- X-rays: Show the condition of the joint.
- Magnetic resonance imaging: Provides detailed information about cartilage damage and any associated injuries.
Treatment of Knee Chondropathy
Treatment depends on the severity of the damage. In the early stages, conservative treatment may be effective:
- Physiotherapy: Strengthening the muscles around the knee, particularly the quadriceps, to support the joint.
- Medication: Anti-inflammatory medication can reduce pain and inflammation.
- Injections: Biological agents, such as hyaluronic acid or PRP (platelet-rich plasma), promote cartilage recovery and reduce symptoms.
In advanced cases or when conservative treatment fails, surgery may be required:
- Knee arthroscopy: A minimally invasive procedure used to smooth the cartilage, repair damage or remove loose fragments.
- Chondroplasty: A technique that stimulates cartilage regeneration, improving joint function.
- Knee arthroplasty: In cases of severe degeneration, replacing the joint with artificial implants provides a definitive solution.
Recovery Time
Recovery time depends on the severity of the condition and the treatment provided. In cases of conservative treatment, improvement may be observed within a few weeks. In contrast, following surgery, recovery time varies, with a return to normal activity requiring several months.
Prevention of Knee Chondropathy
Prevention is essential for avoiding cartilage degeneration. Some measures include:
- Maintaining a healthy weight: Reduces the pressure placed on the knee.
- Muscle strengthening: Exercises that strengthen the muscles around the knee improve stability.
- Appropriate footwear: Wearing ergonomic footwear protects the joints.
- Avoiding excessive strain: Particularly during sports activities, correct technique is important.
Frequently asked questions
Can knee cartilage regenerate?
Articular cartilage does not heal easily on its own. This is why surgical techniques such as microfracture have been developed; they are performed arthroscopically and stimulate the formation of new cartilage. The new tissue (fibrocartilage) is less durable than normal articular cartilage and helps mainly with smaller defects.
How long does chondropathy take to get better?
Cartilage wear does not reverse on its own, but the symptoms often improve. With non-surgical treatment, improvement may be seen within a few weeks, while after surgery a return to usual activities takes a few months.
Why does my knee hurt on stairs or when squatting?
When the wear affects the cartilage under the kneecap (chondromalacia patellae), pain gets worse with activities that repeatedly bend the knee, such as stairs, running, jumping and deep squatting. A grinding sound is also common when climbing stairs or standing up after sitting for a long time.
Dr Andreas Leonidou is a specialised orthopaedic surgeon with extensive experience in the diagnosis and treatment of knee chondropathy. With more than 14 years of international experience, he offers modern, personalised treatments, ensuring the restoration of mobility and quality of life for his patients. For more information or to book an appointment, contact him.
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