Knee Pain

If left untreated, the joint, especially if it is a weight-bearing one, such as the knee, can eventually become so damaged that the person cannot walk. Apart from immobility, the pain may slowly get worse. All small articular cartilage defects can eventually progress to osteoarthritis if given enough time.

Foods to be avoided in arthritis are:

• Red meat.
• Dairy products.
• Corn, sunflower, safflower, peanut, and soy oils.
• Salt.
• Sugars including sucrose and fructose.
• Fried or grilled foods.
• Alcohol.
• Refined carbohydrates such as biscuits, white bread, and pasta.

Symptoms of cartilage damage

• joint pain – this may continue even when resting and worsen when you put weight on the joint.
• swelling – this may not develop for a few hours or days.
• Stiffness.
• a clicking or grinding sensation.
• the joint locking, catching, or giving way.

Post-operative care. After the cartilage repair procedure, there is usually a period (6 – 8 weeks) during which the patient is required to use crutches. This is to reduce pressure on the healing cartilage. The time taken for complete recovery could be up to 3 – 6 months.