Gabe Mirkin, M.D.
If you break cartilage in your knee, avoid sports that
cause further damage such as those requiring running and
jumping. You can help to prevent more cartilage loss with an
exercise program that strengthens the muscles that control your
knee. Bones are soft. To keep them from wearing down at joints,
their ends are covered with a thick white gristle called cartilage.
Broken cartilage never heals. Removing broken cartilage may
increase a person's chances of needing a knee replacement in
the future, particularly if the exerciser continues to run and jump.
Former world-class athletes are supposed to have tough,
strong bodies, but they suffer high risk for permanent knee
damage , while non-competitive exercisers are at very low risk.
Repeated cortisone-type injections can weaken cartilage and
cause further damage. Nonsteroidal pain medications do not
prevent further damage. Weak thigh muscles increase chances
for further knee damage, so all people with knee damage should
strengthen the muscles that control their knees using a special
knee weight machine, and start a supervised program of cycling
or swimming, provided that it does not hurt.