Articular Cartilage

Click for Details

 The tough yet elastic tissue capping the bone ends in the knee is called articular cartilage. Working in tandem with meniscal cartilage, articular cartilage acts as a shock absorber for the knee, allowing the joint to withstand the day-to-day pressures of walking, running, sitting and standing.

This type of cartilage covers the ends of all the bones at the joint. This cartilage enables a smooth movement and acts as a protective substance to prevent the bones from rubbing against each other. This substance is so efficient that a healthy joint is more slippery than ice sliding on ice.

Like meniscal cartilage, articular cartilage can become damaged through the trauma of injury or as a result of the wear and tear that occurs over a lifetime.