Cartilage pain/damage

What is cartilage?

Cartilage is a firm yet flexible tissue that provides cushioning and support for bones and other tissues. It’s a type of connective tissue that is found in numerous locations within the body, particularly in your joints, ears nose and ribs. It’s

Cartilage performs several key roles. Here’s why:

It acts like nature’s shock absorber, reducing the friction between your bones and joints, which helps prevent damage and pain.
It provides structural support for body parts like your nose and ears.
It serves as a smooth surface for joint movement, allowing you to have easier, more efficient motion.
It’s involved in the development of bones and other vital tissues.
It helps certain organs to keep their shape, such as the trachea and the larynx.

Symptoms of cartilage damage

The unfortunate news is that, despite the important role cartilage plays in the human body, it has limited capacity to regenerate – so it can’t repair itself easily after injury or damage. This is why cartilage damage or degeneration often leads to joint pain and other health problems.

Symptoms of cartilage damage can include swelling around the affected area, joint pain that gets worse with activity and stiffness that worsens after inactivity. It’s not uncommon to experience clicking, grinding or locking, reduced range and a general feeling of instability in the affected joint.

Treatment for cartilage damage

Early intervention can make a difference when it comes to cartilage pain or damage. Your physio will design a program based on your situation, but which usually include a combination manual therapy to reduce inflammation, range of motion work to improve flexibility and strengthening exercises.