The Injury Hub
Cartilage Damage: Info, Symptoms & Treatment.
Our Chartered Physiotherapists across Ireland are experts in the causes, symptoms and treatment of cartilage damage.
The Injury Hub: Cartilage Damage
What is cartilage damage?
Cartilage damage is relatively common and often occurs due to trauma or an associated medical condition. The most common cases of cartilage damage occur in the knee. Cartilage covers the surfaces of joints and functions as a shock absorber and prevents friction during movement. Unlike other tissues it has a poor blood supply which can affect its ability to heal.
If arthroscopic (key-hole) surgery is recommended, it is often advisable to strengthen the muscles around the joint before the date of surgery, as this will speed up the recovery time after surgery.
How We Can Help.
Symptoms, Treatment & How We Can Help Your Recovery.
Learn about common cartilage damage injury symptoms, effective treatments, and how our expert team supports your recovery journey every step of the way.
Symptoms Of Cartilage Damage
Cartilage damage may be caused due to a sudden injury, osteoarthritis, infection, a fall or impact, ligament tear or joint dislocation.
Symptoms include:
Decreased movement
Swelling
Joint pain
Stiffness
If the cartilage damage is severe, a piece of cartilage may have broken off and float around in the joint space. This can cause a feeling of joint ‘locking’ or catching. Sometimes the joint may also give way and feel unstable. The joints that are most affected by cartilage injuries are the knee, shoulder, elbow and hip.
Ankle Sprain Treatment
Physiotherapy treatments are often provided after the surgery in order to help decrease stiffness and pain and assist in returning the individual to complete independence and a more active lifestyle.
Acupuncture is also of great benefit in many of these situations, to help control pain post-surgery.
It is highly recommended that you attend Physiotherapy for rehabilitation following keyhole surgery, a knee/ shoulder arthroscopy, after a knee or hip replacement operation or after the insertion of metals plates or pins into various joints.
Our Expertise
Our Chartered Physiotherapists have an extensive range of experience in treating patients with cartilage damage for both pre- and post-operative stages of rehab.
Physiotherapy treatments are often provided after the surgery in order to help decrease stiffness and pain and assist in returning the individual to complete independence and a more active lifestyle. It is important that you complete a course of physiotherapy following surgery to maximise your recovery.
Our Physiotherapists work with many Orthopaedic Surgeons in Dublin and are happy to refer patients where we feel surgery is appropriate.
Our patient’s health journeys
How Much Does It Cost?
Please refer to our individual clinic location pages for pricing information.
What Are Your Clinic Hours?
Monday – Friday: 8am to 8pm
Saturday: 9am to 5pm
Sunday: Closed
*Please note, opening times can vary between clinics
Where Is This Service Available?
This service is available in any of our nationwide clinics.
Am I Covered By Health Insurance?
We work with all major insurers – Vhi, Laya and Irish Life. We recommend you check your own policy for its terms and conditions to see what cover you have.
How Do I Contact You?
Our Patient Services team is available to help you Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm, and Saturdays from 8:00am to 4:00pm.
Call Us: 01 611 1740
Spectrum Physio
You’re In Good Hands.
We’ve treated over 250,000 patients across our nationwide clinics.
