No, cartilage does not contain nerves. It's described as aneural. This means it lacks the nerve fibers that transmit pain signals. Any pain felt in areas with cartilage damage is usually due to irritation of the surrounding tissues, such as inflamed joints or bone, as noted in several sources (Physiopedia, NCBI Bookshelf).
Understanding Cartilage's Unique Properties
Unlike many other tissues in the body, cartilage also lacks blood vessels and lymphatics (PMC). This unique structure affects its ability to heal, as it relies on diffusion from surrounding tissues for nutrients. The absence of nerves explains why cartilage itself is insensitive to pain.
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Pain Perception in Cartilage-Related Injuries: When experiencing pain associated with cartilage damage (like osteoarthritis), the pain originates from the surrounding structures, not the cartilage itself. For example, bone rubbing on bone after cartilage erosion causes pain because the bone does have nerve endings. This is highlighted in sources such as Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals.
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Types of Cartilage: While most cartilage lacks nerves, some fibrocartilage, like the meniscus in the knee, may have a partial blood supply (Wikipedia), but still generally lacks significant nerve innervation.
Key Takeaway
The absence of nerves in cartilage is a crucial aspect of its biology and explains why direct damage to the cartilage itself isn't felt as pain.
