• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Howard J. Luks, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon

Howard J. Luks, MD

Orthopedic Surgeon Sports Medicine Specialist

  • Articles
  • Notes
  • Podcast
  • Book
  • Education
    • Shoulder Injuries
    • Knee Injuries
    • Elbow Injuries
  • About
Blog / Articles / Knee / Cartilage

I have been told I am “missing cartilage” in my knee…what does this mean?

Howard J. Luks, MD Updated September 17, 2021

Featured image placeholder

There are two forms of cartilage in the knee; the two meniscal cartilage discs or cushions, and the articular cartilage on the ends of the bones. Some physicians might be referring to a meniscus tear.  

True Cartilage defects on the end of the bones could be the result of a traumatic injury, Osteonecrosis, Osteochondritis Dessicans, or simply the early stages of Osteoarthritis.

When a surgeon says you are “missing cartilage” in your knee, more often than not, he or she is referring to the articular cartilage on the end of your bone.

Categories: Cartilage, Knee

Disclaimer:  this information is for your education and should not be considered medical advice regarding diagnosis or treatment recommendations. Some links on this page may be affiliate links. Read the full disclaimer.
Longevity... Simplified: Living A Longer, Healthier Life Shouldn’t Be Complicated

My new book is available now.

“The seven simple steps to make ‘longevity simplified’, will help to improve your metabolic health right now.” – Dr. Neil Meigh

Learn More
Read Reviews

Related Articles

Benefits of exercise
Walk, Exercise, Running, and Living with Knee Arthritis
remain active with knee osteoarthritis
10 Recommendations To Thrive With Osteoarthritis of the Knee
Thigh strength decreases the risk of developing knee arthritis
Thigh Strength and The Risk of Developing Knee Arthritis
Exercising with knee osteoarthritis is OK
Exercise and Knee Arthritis Pain: The science of why it works.
lateral knee pain
Lateral Knee Pain Explained
exercise and stretching
How a knee compression sleeve benefits an active lifestyle
Howard J. Luks, MD

Howard J. Luks, MD is an orthopedic surgeon & sports medicine specialist. An expert in shoulder, knee, and other sports injuries, he is widely known as one of the country’s best orthopedic surgeons.

Book Appointment · About · Contact

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn YouTube

Like what you’re reading?

Get the latest posts in your inbox

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lucinda says

    November 16, 2011 at 2:21 pm

    Congrats describing the I have been told I am “missing cartilage” in my knee…what does this mean? – Howard J. Luks, MD – Chief of Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy. I’ve read quite a few posts during the past couple of hours in regards to this topic and yours sticks out. Carry on doing your work, it’s surely doing the job.

  2. Alvina wimbishName says

    July 10, 2013 at 3:29 pm

    ? Had meniscus surgery sept, 2012, doctor told my husband and myself that I had a little arthritis and that he scraped it. Went to therapy and the pain and movement of my left knee was getting worst, back and forth to doctor for pain mess, not working. Finally, doctor looked at me angrily and told me that I had arthritis and that he had not scraped the knee, I just looked at him in shock and left the office. Was at foot doctor and she asked why was I limping so bad, and I explained what happened. She gave me a name to another doctor, I explained what happened. First thing he did was to take x-rays. Well, right knee looked great, left knee was total bone on bone (the hold knee),. Doctor suggested synvisc treat, so far first treatment is working pretty good, have to wait six months for next treatment.

    How am I missing the cartilage in my left knee, does not appear any is in the knee, just bone on bone?

    • Howard J. Luks, MD says

      July 11, 2013 at 5:51 am

      Thanks for stopping by…
      You might want to get a copy of your original xrays and show them to your new physician. They can compare the two and see what happened since your surgery. My suspicion is that the arthritis was worse than suspected before the surgery. This is one of the main reasons why I always talk about trying a very conservative approach to knees with both meniscus tears and arthritis.
      Good Luck

    • Siouxzona says

      April 3, 2019 at 5:30 pm

      I Am Going through the same thing you went through. I did have meniscus tear and repair, and he told me he couldn’t my arthritis. My pain just kept getting worse and worse now he tells me that I have no cartilage left. Is suggesting gel injections do you know anything about before and after

  3. Adrian Lomeli says

    November 12, 2016 at 1:51 pm

    Hello, uh i am a 15 year old male. I am extremely active with soccer. Recently for 2 years, ive been having a sharp pain on the outside of my knee on both knees in the exact same part. Ive done therapy and all theyve done is ice it. And it only hurts after training or when my legs aren’t warmed up and agitated. Many say i have it band syndrome, and others say im missing cartilage, help me!

    • Howard J. Luks, MD says

      November 13, 2016 at 7:17 am

      HI Adrian …
      Without examining you I can not give you a diagnosis …. At 15 it can be ITB syndrome, “growing pains”, or perhaps a cartilage issue. A high quality exam and MRI should be able to tell you which one it is.
      Good Luck

  4. D.A. says

    February 11, 2017 at 11:35 am

    Hi, I am doing research and writing on behalf of a friend whose daughter has been diagnosed with juvenile arthritis. She is 15 years old and has severe inflammation and pain in the knees. (Doctors aren’t sure if they are related issues) She just had a MRI done and also a contrast MRI. The results showed a section of missing cartilage from both knee joints (in pretty much the same areas) resulting in bone on bone from the femur to the tibia. The MRI also showed fluid inside the bone where the cartilage is missing. Her knees are constantly inflamed and the medication she is on doesn’t seem to help. They were very discouraged as they left the office due to the fact that the doctor said there was very little that could be done for her and she would just have to live the rest of her life in pain. He offered physical therapy (which they have already been through with a different doctor before they had to relocate) and it didn’t help. What devastating news for a 15 year old girl who wants to be active and live life like any other kid. Is this truly the case? Are there really no options to help her? I have read a few of your articles and treatment plans and it seems there might be help out there somewhere for her. Is this true? any suggestions? Thanks for your time

    • Howard J. Luks, MD says

      February 12, 2017 at 7:06 am

      HI …
      So, most of the articles you are reading online and here deal primarily with cartilage defects due to trauma, or injury. Some of the articles such as the Distraction Arthroplasty have shown promise in knees with Osteoarthritis, but to my knowledge have not been used in patients with Rheumatoid arthritis. This is a situation where you need to find someone who performs many cartilage regeneration procedures to get their take. We tend to be concentrated in metropolitan regions. Your friends also need to find a rheumatologist who can calm down the rheumatoid disease itself. Otherwise any attempt at cartilage regeneration can fail.

  5. Robin says

    August 22, 2017 at 9:47 am

    Hi, I am 53 female and a fitness trainer, I had meniscus and plica resection January, I had cortisone injections and then a series of 3 injections of Euflexxa it has been 5 weeks, and told I was missing cartilage behind knee cap, I wear my brace, to help with my knee is always swollen by evening my range and pain are much worse, its been nine months, and getting frustrated, what else could be done? I want to get back to a normal life.

    • Howard J. Luks, MD says

      August 24, 2017 at 7:17 am

      That must be very frustrating… I’m sorry to hear that.
      Unfortunately without seeing you I can not offer specific treatment or medical advice.

Primary Sidebar

Howard J. Luks, MD is an orthopedic surgeon & sports medicine specialist. An expert in shoulder, knee, and other sports injuries, he is widely known as one of the country’s best orthopedic surgeons.

Book Appointment · About · Contact

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn YouTube

Like what you’re reading?

Get the latest posts in your inbox

Longevity... Simplified: Living A Longer, Healthier Life Shouldn’t Be Complicated

My new book is available now.

Learn More
Read Reviews

Reader Favorites

  • Batters shoulder posterior labral tear
    Batter’s Shoulder : Posterior Labral Tears
  • LEg exercises improve longevity
    Runners require strength too: What to do and when to do it
  • calcific tendonitis and severe shoulder pain
    Why Does My Shoulder Hurt So Much?
  • lactate polarized training
    Lactate, the lactate shuttle, and lactate threshold workouts in polarized training
  • Zone 2 heart rate training
    Zone 2 Heart Rate Training For Longevity and Performance
  • knee swelling
    Pain In The Front Of The Knee: 6 Common Causes
  • Polarized training for runners
    Polarized training for everyday runners: Part 1
  • Exercise is more important than ever
    Does Exercise Cause Osteoarthritis?

Howard J Luks, MD

Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine
128 Ashford Avenue
Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522

Phone: (914)-559-1900
Book Appointment

Pages

  • About
  • Upcoming Books
  • Testimonials
  • In The News
  • Media Photos
  • Contact

Topics

  • Shoulder
  • Knee
  • Elbow
  • Metabolic Health
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Training

More

  • COVID
  • Ankle
  • Hip
  • PRP
  • Running
  • Sports Medicine
  • Articles
  • Notes
  • Podcast
  • Book
  • Education
  • About

© 2023 · Howard J Luks, MD · Disclaimer & Terms · Privacy Policy
The information on this site is not intended or implied to be medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This site should be used for informational purposes only.