Cartilage Injuries in Young Athletes: Why Early Action Matters

Cartilage injuries are more common than many people realise—especially in young athletes. Whether it’s a knee twist on the football pitch or a repetitive stress injury in gymnastics, damage to the cartilage can happen early and silently. Left untreated, these injuries can lead to long-term joint problems and even early arthritis. The good news? With early diagnosis and intervention, it’s often possible to preserve the joint, avoid surgery, and return to sport stronger than before. In this article, we explore the importance of early action, diagnostic tools like MRI and MAI-Motion™, and modern strategies to protect and restore cartilage.

Understanding Cartilage Injuries in Young Athletes

Articular cartilage is the smooth, rubbery tissue that lines the ends of bones inside your joints. It cushions impact, allows friction-free movement, and supports joint stability. However, unlike muscles or ligaments, cartilage has very limited blood supply—meaning it doesn’t heal well on its own.

Common causes of cartilage injuries include:

• Twisting injuries or acute trauma (e.g., football, rugby, skiing)

• Repetitive stress and overuse (e.g., running, jumping, dancing)

• Growth plate-related imbalances during adolescence

• Prior joint injuries (e.g., ACL tears)

If undetected or misdiagnosed, even small areas of damage can grow over time, leading to pain, swelling, and long-term degeneration.

Why Early Diagnosis Is Crucial

The earlier cartilage injuries are identified, the more treatment options are available—and the better the chance of preserving the joint.

At MSK Doctors, we use a combination of advanced tools for early diagnosis:

• MRI scans, including cartilage-sensitive sequences, to visualise soft tissue, swelling, and early degeneration

• onMRI™ analysis to extract measurable cartilage biomarkers, even on low-field MRI systems

• MAI-Motion™ assessments to analyse joint mechanics and detect abnormal loading patterns caused by hidden cartilage damage

These technologies allow us to see the invisible—often detecting issues before they show up as major symptoms or structural breakdown.

Cartilage Preservation: What Can Be Done?

In young patients, the priority is to preserve and regenerate rather than replace. Cartilage preservation strategies include:

• Activity modification and offloading to prevent further damage

• Regenerative injections such as PRP, hyaluronic acid, microfat, or cartilage matrix therapy

• Physiotherapy focused on neuromuscular control and joint stability

• Nutritional support for collagen and cartilage health

• Motion analysis-guided rehabilitation to correct poor biomechanics and asymmetries

In select cases, surgical options such as microfracture, autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI), or cartilage scaffolding may be considered—but only when conservative strategies have been exhausted or if the damage is extensive.

The goal is to protect the natural cartilage and create an environment where regeneration is possible.

Return-to-Sport Strategies After Cartilage Injury

Returning to sport is often a major goal for young athletes—but doing so too early or without proper recovery can risk reinjury or long-term joint problems.

A safe return-to-sport programme should be:

• Gradual and individualised, based on the type and location of cartilage damage

• Informed by motion analysis, to ensure joint loading is normalised

• Strength-focused, particularly around the hip, core, and limb alignment

• Condition-specific, addressing sport demands (e.g. pivoting, sprinting, jumping)

At MSK Doctors, we use objective data from MAI-Motion™ and functional testing to assess readiness and reduce the chance of re-injury. It’s not just about being pain-free—it’s about moving well.

Additional Patient Information

Cartilage injuries in active young people don’t always present with obvious symptoms. Pain, clicking, or swelling may come and go—but the underlying problem can still be progressing.

Early action allows for less invasive treatment, better long-term outcomes, and a higher chance of returning to high-level sport without chronic joint issues. If your child, teenager, or young athlete experiences persistent knee, ankle, or joint pain, don’t wait. The window for cartilage preservation is short—but powerful if used well.

FAQs

How do I know if my child has a cartilage injury?
Signs include joint pain, swelling, locking or clicking, and reduced performance in sport. These symptoms often come and go, but shouldn’t be ignored—especially if linked to trauma or repeated stress.

What is MAI-Motion™ and how does it help?
MAI-Motion™ is a cutting-edge motion analysis system that identifies movement inefficiencies and joint loading patterns. It’s especially useful for spotting biomechanical contributors to cartilage damage and for monitoring rehabilitation progress.

Can cartilage regenerate on its own?
Cartilage has limited healing ability, especially in adults. In younger patients, regeneration is possible with the right support—including offloading, regenerative therapy, and biomechanical correction.

What’s the difference between a sprain and a cartilage injury?
Sprains affect ligaments, while cartilage injuries involve the joint surface. Both can occur together, but cartilage injuries are harder to detect without imaging and often cause longer-term issues if left untreated.

Is surgery always needed for cartilage injuries?
No. Many cases, especially when caught early, can be treated non-operatively using regenerative injections and rehabilitation. Surgery is a last resort in young athletes.

How long before returning to sport after a cartilage injury?
This depends on the severity of damage and treatment chosen. Minor injuries may allow return within 6–8 weeks, while more significant injuries could require 3–6 months or longer. Monitoring is essential.