Cartilage injuries in athletes can occur in any joint that experiences impact, shear, or repetitive loading. This page covers the sports-medicine perspective on cartilage injury across joints, with cross-references to the joint-specific cartilage pages for full clinical detail. Dr. Chudik treats cartilage injuries across the shoulder, knee, elbow, and ankle, with techniques selected by joint, defect characteristics, and the demands of the athlete’s sport.
What Are Sports-Related Cartilage Injuries?
Articular cartilage covers the joint surfaces and allows smooth, low-friction motion. In athletes, cartilage damage occurs through several mechanisms:
- Acute impact or shear during contact, jumping, or pivoting
- Repetitive overloading from chronic instability or biomechanical malalignment
- Associated with ligament injury (ACL, MPFL, shoulder dislocation)
- Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) in skeletally immature athletes
- Post-traumatic damage from intra-articular fractures
Cartilage has no blood supply and limited capacity to repair itself. Even small focal defects can progress over time and contribute to early arthritis if untreated. The athlete’s drive for return to sport intensifies the importance of accurate diagnosis and timely treatment.
Joint-Specific Cartilage Pages
For full clinical detail on cartilage injuries by joint, see:
- Shoulder Cartilage Injuries: humeral head and glenoid cartilage damage, often associated with dislocation or impingement
- Knee Cartilage Injuries: femoral, tibial, and patellar cartilage defects, common after ACL injury or in chronic instability
- Cartilage Injuries and OCD of the Ankle: talar dome lesions, often after ankle sprains or fractures
- OCD of the Elbow: capitellum lesions in skeletally immature throwing athletes and gymnasts
Common Treatment Approaches Across Joints
Dr. Chudik selects from a range of cartilage repair and restoration techniques depending on the joint, defect size, and patient factors:
- Microfracture for small focal defects, stimulating fibrocartilage formation
- Osteochondral autograft transfer (OATS) using plugs from less-loaded areas of the same joint
- Osteochondral allograft transplantation for larger defects
- Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) and matrix-assisted techniques
- Retrograde drilling for stable OCD lesions where preserving cartilage matters (Dr. Chudik developed this technique for the knee)
- Loose body removal when fragments cannot be salvaged
For acute cartilage injuries associated with ligament injury, Dr. Chudik addresses both at the same procedure when feasible.
Athletic Considerations
Athletes face specific challenges with cartilage injuries:
- The drive for return to sport conflicts with the protected loading required for some cartilage procedures
- Continued play through cartilage injury accelerates damage and reduces treatment options
- Concomitant injuries (ligament instability, alignment issues) must be addressed simultaneously to protect the cartilage repair
- Long-term sport participation depends on preserving as much native cartilage as possible
Dr. Chudik’s approach prioritizes joint preservation and matches the procedure to the athlete’s age, sport, and timeline.
When to See Dr. Chudik
Schedule an evaluation if you have persistent joint pain after a sports injury, catching or locking symptoms, or imaging showing a cartilage defect. Early evaluation preserves treatment options. Call 630-324-0402 or request an appointment online.