Get an expert evaluation from a sports medicine knee specialist in the DC area.
If your knee:
- Was injured
- Never fully recovered
- Still hurts with activity
- Swells after use
- Or just doesn’t feel normal
…you may have a cartilage injury (also called a chondral defect).
Cartilage injuries are commonly missed, but they can cause persistent pain, swelling, and loss of function, especially in active people.
Rajeev Pandarinath, MD is a fellowship-trained orthopedic sports medicine surgeon who treats complex knee problems, including cartilage injuries, meniscus tears, and ligament injuries.
✅ Careful diagnosis of subtle knee injuries
✅ Advanced imaging review
✅ Both non-surgical and surgical options
✅ Treatment matched to your goals and lifestyle
What Is a Cartilage (Chondral) Injury?
Cartilage is the smooth, gliding surface that covers the ends of the bones in your knee.
When it is:
- Damaged
- Cracked
- Or worn away in a focal area
…it can cause:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Catching or grinding
- Reduced tolerance for impact or activity
Unlike many tissues:
Cartilage does not heal well on its own.
How Do Cartilage Injuries Happen?
- Trauma (falls, sports injuries, twisting injuries)
- ACL or meniscus injuries
- Repeated impact or stress
- Sometimes from a single injury that never fully healed
Many patients say:
“I hurt my knee a while ago and it’s just never been the same since.”
Symptoms of a Cartilage Defect
- Deep knee pain with activity
- Swelling after use
- Catching, grinding, or clicking
- Pain with stairs, squatting, or impact
- Inability to return to sports or running
Do All Cartilage Injuries Need Surgery?
No.
Some can be managed with:
- Activity modification
- Physical therapy
- Anti-inflammatory treatment
- Injections
- Bracing (in some cases)
Others:
- Especially focal defects in active patients
- Or those that don’t respond to conservative care
…may benefit from surgical treatment.
The goal is:
To preserve your knee and delay or avoid arthritis — not rush into surgery.
Surgical Options for Cartilage Injuries
Depending on:
- The size
- The location
- The depth of the defect
- Your age and activity level
Options may include:
- Arthroscopic debridement / chondroplasty
- Microfracture
- Cartilage restoration or repair procedures
- Treatment of associated problems (meniscus, alignment, ligaments)
The right procedure depends on the right diagnosis.
What Happens at Your Visit
- Careful history and knee exam
- Review of X-rays and MRI (or order advanced imaging if needed)
- Explanation of:
- Where the cartilage is damaged
- How serious it is
- What it means for your knee long-term
- Clear plan:
- Non-surgical treatment
- Or surgical options if appropriate
You will leave knowing:
What’s actually wrong and what your real options are.
Why See Dr. Pandarinath?
- Fellowship-trained in Sports Medicine
- Experience treating:
- Cartilage injuries
- Meniscus tears
- ACL injuries
- Complex knee problems
- Known for:
- Thoughtful evaluation
- Conservative-first approach when appropriate
- Careful surgical decision making
Cartilage Injuries in Active Adults and Athletes
Cartilage injuries are common in:
- Athletes
- Runners
- Former athletes
- People who had prior knee injuries or surgery
If your knee:
- Keeps swelling
- Keeps hurting
- Or limits your activity
…it deserves a deeper look.
Request an Appointment
If you have persistent knee pain and are concerned about cartilage damage:
👉 Click above to request an appointment
📞 Or call our office to schedule an evaluation
Getting the right diagnosis early can make a huge difference in long-term knee health.
About Rajeev Pandarinath, MD
Rajeev Pandarinath, MD is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic sports medicine surgeon specializing in complex knee and shoulder injuries.
He treats:
- Cartilage injuries and chondral defects
- Meniscus tears
- ACL injuries and revision surgery
- Sports and activity-related knee problems
His approach emphasizes:
- Accurate diagnosis
- Evidence-based treatment
- Joint preservation whenever possible