Yes, damage to knee cartilage can cause pain.
Understanding Knee Cartilage and Pain
Knee cartilage, specifically articular cartilage, acts as a cushion between the bones in your knee joint. While cartilage itself doesn't have nerves, damage to it can lead to pain and other symptoms. According to the provided reference, damage to the articular knee cartilage can cause:
- Pain
- Inflammation
- A clicking noise and catching sensation
- Reduced range of motion
How Cartilage Damage Leads to Pain
While cartilage itself lacks nerve endings, the inflammation and instability caused by cartilage damage can irritate surrounding tissues that do have nerves, leading to pain. Furthermore, as noted in the reference, cartilage injuries wider than a centimeter can worsen over time, potentially leading to osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint condition that is often very painful.
Symptoms of Cartilage Damage
Beyond pain, other symptoms indicating possible knee cartilage damage include:
- Swelling: Inflammation around the knee joint.
- Stiffness: Difficulty bending or straightening the knee.
- Locking: A sensation of the knee joint catching or locking up.
- Instability: Feeling like the knee might give way.
Table Summarizing Knee Cartilage Damage Symptoms
| Symptom | Description |
|---|---|
| Pain | May be sharp, dull, or achy. Can worsen with activity. |
| Inflammation | Swelling around the knee joint. |
| Clicking/Catching | A noise or sensation of the knee catching or locking. |
| Reduced Motion | Difficulty fully bending or straightening the knee. |
| Instability | Feeling like the knee is giving way. |
