It’s crucial to consider the impact that running and even regular walking can have on your knees and other joints over time. Specifically, one should understand Cartilage’s role in the joint and how it relates to activity and mobility wellness. Cartilage acts as the body’s natural shock absorber, ensuring that your joints and body as a whole is protected during movement.
In this article, we will look at the important function that cartilage performs in day-to-day life and how to make choices that better influence your joints’ long-term health.
What is Cartilage?
Cartilage is a tough, rubbery substance that helps ease friction between joints and bones. Cartilage is the main type of flexible, connective tissue in the body. As for the make up, around 65-80% of cartilage is water; this figure gets lower as we grow older. The remainder of what makes it up is a gel-like substance called matrix. The cartilage matrix gives this tissue the form needed to perform its invaluable function.
The matrix is highly organized, made up of several types of specialist proteins, notably:
- Collagen
- Proteoglycans
- Non-collagenous proteins
The proteoglycans and non-collagenous proteins bind to the collagen matrix, creating a mesh. Water molecules are then attracted to the mesh due to the polar nature of the proteins. This matrix provides the specific properties of cartilage that drive its unique and important function.
Major Types of Cartilage
There are 3 primary types of cartilage present in the body. They include;
- Hyaline Cartilage
- Elastic Cartilage
- Fibrous Cartilage
Each of these types of cartilage has different properties that relate to the specific functions they perform in the body.
I. Hyaline or Articular Cartilage
Hyaline or Articular Cartilage is found in the joints, the nose septum, and the trachea or air tubes.
II. Elastic Cartilage
Elastic Cartilage is composed of elastic fibers that provide more flexibility to the material. It exists in the ears, parts of the nose, and the trachea.
III. Fibrous Cartilage
Fibrous Cartilage exists within the knee’s meniscus, which helps distribute body weight and lessen friction in the compartments of the knee joint.
Functions of Cartilage
In the joints, a thin layer of low friction hyaline cartilage covers bony surfaces. This lets the bones surrounding a joint glide over one another during movement. Ideally, the elastic layer will last a lifetime, acting as a cushion and shock absorber.
A cluster of cartilage cells inside the matrix called ‘chondrocytes’ make and maintain the articular cartilage. The number of cells in the cartilage is low, making up around 1-2% of adult tissue volume. Cartilage has no blood vessels, nerves, or lymphatic system. Nutrients enter the tissue by diffusing through the matrix.
Knee Cartilage And The Joints
The knee joint is one of the body’s largest and more complex joints. It connects the thigh bone (or femur) to the shin (the tibia). Like other joints in the body, tendons and ligaments within the joint provide stability and adhere bone to muscle or bone to bone, respectively, to generate forces around the joint to generate movement.
The knee also contains two C-shaped pieces of knee cartilage in each knee joint, known as the medial and lateral menisci. These act as natural shock absorbers between the thigh and shin bones.
Knee Injuries & Conditions
The menisci exist in an integral and constantly used part of our body, so they are prone to certain types of injuries and conditions. Below are a few of the commonly occurring ones;
I. Torn Meniscus Cartilage
If other muscles, such as the quads, become weakened, it can cause our knees to twist or fold. That can increase the risk of a torn meniscus cartilage, one of the most common types of knee injury. This can lead to pain, swelling, and stiffness. It is possible to experience reduced knee mobility and difficulty extending the knee fully. A torn meniscus can happen as a result of:
- Forceful pivoting of the knee
- Abrupt turns and stops during high-intensity activity
- Lifting heavy objects, deep squatting, or kneeling
- Degenerative changes to the knee in older adults
The danger of a torn meniscus is high for athletes, particularly those who play contact sports like football, lacrosse, or basketball. As we age, wear and tear on the knees increases the risk of injury, as do conditions like obesity. Tearing your meniscus can cause feelings of weakness in your knee and a sense that the joint will buckle or give away. You might also be unable to move your knee due to persistent knee pain. There’s a greater likelihood of developing osteoarthritis in a regularly injured knee.
II. Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is one of the most common forms of arthritis. Typically caused by aging or wear and tear of the knee cartilage, it often affects these particular joints. Symptoms can include knee pain, stiffness, and swelling. Although age is the main risk factor, young people can also suffer from osteoarthritis.
For some, the condition can be hereditary. For others, it could be due to an injury, infection, or even being overweight. Women over 55 are more likely than men to develop knee osteoarthritis. In addition, athletes involved in high-intensity sports such as; soccer, basketball, football, rugby, or long-distance running may also be at higher risk of developing this condition.
Symptoms include:
- Pain that worsens during physical activity
- Swelling and a warm sensation in the joint
- Increased stiffness and decrease in the mobility of the joint
- Creaking or popping sounds when you move the knee
III. Chondromalacia Patella
Chondromalacia patella, or “runner’s knee,” is an irritation of the knee cartilage on the underside of the patella or kneecap. It can cause painful symptoms and is a common cause of knee pain in young people who play many sports. It can also occur in older people who suffer from arthritis.
In more serious cases, improper knee alignment is the underlying cause. Symptoms include knee pain and grinding sensations. You can reduce the risk of runner’s knee by:
- Avoiding repetitive stress to the kneecap
- Using a custom-fit knee brace
- Strengthening your quads and hamstrings
- Wearing orthopedic insoles that correct flat feet
- Maintaining a healthy diet and an optimum weight
Takeaway
You should consider protecting your knees as an investment in yourself and your future. In order to ensure an active and healthy lifestyle, the knees must be in good condition throughout your life. If you are currently struggling with knee pain or an injury, our team of professionals at Icarus Medical is here to assist. Our Ascender knee brace can help you mitigate knee pain, aid your recovery, and support healing.
Get in touch with us today to learn more about the options available to you and how we can assist.
