Unlike other tissues in our body, injured cartilage does not have the ability to heal as it does not have a blood supply. The cartilage surface can be sheared off the end of the bone, exposing the underlying bony surface. It can be injured from this repetitive stress or from a single traumatic event.
This pressure is increased significantly during activities such as running and jumping. Many factors can contribute to cartilage damage, including age-related degeneration of cartilage, excessive weight, repetitive or acute injuries.ĭuring normal activities of life, the cartilage is exposed to extreme pressure. In the knee, for example, this occurs during activities such as walking, running, and jumping. Articular cartilage is a very durable material that provides a smooth and impact resistant surface and allows the bones to glide over one another during the range of motion. Cartilage is the material that covers the ends of the bones where they contact to become the joint.