Physiotherapy for Cartilage & Meniscus in London
Cartilage & Meniscus Injuries
When joints feel painful or unsteady, cartilage or meniscus damage might be to blame. These injuries can make everyday movement anywhere from more difficult to painful. With physiotherapy treatment, you can ease the pain, improve joint stability, and get back to doing what feels good. Physit brings expert care directly to your home, on your terms.
What Are Cartilage and Meniscus Injuries?
Cartilage is the smooth, rubbery tissue that lines and cushions your joints, helping them move easily and without friction. In the knee, there’s also a specific type of cartilage called the meniscus. This is a C-shaped disc that acts like a shock absorber between the bones.
Both cartilage and meniscus tissue have an important role in the health of your joints. But over time (or because of a sudden injury) they can become worn down, torn, or irritated. This can lead to pain, swelling, stiffness, or a feeling like the joint is catching, locking, or even giving way.
These issues are most common in the knee, but they can also affect other joints like the hip, shoulder, or ankle. You might notice feelings of discomfort when you’re bending, walking, twisting, or getting up from a seated position.
The good news is that many cartilage and meniscus injuries respond well to the right kind of care. With customised physiotherapy, it’s possible to ease the pain, improve your range of movement, and improve your long-term joint health. And in many cases, with early and proper intervention, surgery may not be necessary.
Common Symptoms of Cartilage or Meniscus Problems
When cartilage or meniscus tissue is irritated or damaged, it can affect how well your joints move and feel. You might notice:
- Pain in or around a joint, especially during or after activity, most commonly in the knee, but it can also happen in the hip, shoulder, or ankle
- Swelling or stiffness that makes the joint feel tight or hard to move
- A feeling of catching, locking, or giving way, as if the joint isn’t moving smoothly or can’t fully straighten or bend
- Discomfort with weight-bearing or bending, such as going up stairs, squatting, or standing for too long
- Reduced range of motion, making it harder to bend, stretch, or turn the joint fully
These symptoms can make daily activities like walking, kneeling, climbing stairs, or getting in and out of a chair feel more difficult than they should be. Physiotherapy can help ease discomfort, improve joint support, and make those movements feel more natural again.
What Can Increase Your Risk of Cartilage or Meniscus Injuries?
Cartilage and meniscus problems can happen to anyone, but certain factors can make them more likely to occur, especially when the joints are under more pressure than they’re built to handle. Here are some of the most common contributors.
- Previous joint injuries: An old sprain, strain, or fracture can leave a joint more vulnerable to future damage or wear and tear.
- Sudden twisting movements: Quick turns or changes in direction (like those that often take place in sports activities) can put stress on the meniscus, especially in the knees.
- Age-related joint changes: As you age, your cartilage naturally thins and loses strength, making it more prone to damage or irritation.
- Repetitive joint stress: Certain jobs or hobbies that involve kneeling, squatting, heavy lifting, or repetitive motion can lead to gradual strain on cartilage as time goes on.
- Muscle weakness or imbalance: If the muscles that protect a joint aren’t working properly or are too weak, the joint may not move as smoothly and experience more wear.
- Poor joint alignment or mobility issues: When a joint isn’t moving as it should, or the body’s mechanics are off, it can put increased pressure on your cartilage and lead to injury.
What Causes Cartilage & Meniscus Damage?
Cartilage & meniscus damage can happen suddenly or develop slowly over time. These tissues are important for cushioning and stabilising your joints, but physical stress and wear and tear can have a significant effect on them. Here are the most common reasons these tissues become damaged.
- Traumatic injury: A sudden twist, awkward fall, or direct impact (especially during sports, lifting heavy items, or making sudden movements) can tear the meniscus or damage the cartilage, especially in the knees.
- Degenerative wear and tear: Over time, cartilage can naturally wear down or become soft and weak, especially as we age. This kind of gradual change is one of the most common causes of cartilage problems.
- Repetitive strain: Repeating the same movements day after day (like kneeling, bending, or lifting heavy items) can create ongoing stress in the joints. As time passes, this can irritate or damage the cartilage or meniscus.
- Joint instability or poor alignment: When a joint doesn’t move smoothly (either because of a muscle imbalance, a past injury, or just how your body is built), it can create uneven pressure on the cartilage surfaces, wearing them down faster than they should.
How Physit Treats Cartilage & Meniscus Issues
We understand that cartilage or meniscus problems might make your movements feel shaky, painful, or weak. That’s why our physiotherapists are trained in rehabilitating cartilage and meniscus injuries, focusing on regaining strength and long-term function.
At Physit, we are proud to bring expert physiotherapy care directly to your home, with hands-on, personalised treatments that are designed to protect your joints, ease away discomfort, and help you move with confidence again.
Our approach is practical and thoroughly tailored to your unique recovery needs. Whether your symptoms are from a recent injury or are the result of wear and tear over time, we focus on restoring movement in a way that encourages your long-term joint health and fits into your everyday life.
Here’s a look at what your treatment may include.
- Manual therapy: This includes gentle hands-on techniques that will help reduce stiffness, improve how your joints move, and release any tension from the surrounding area.
- Strengthening exercises: We’ll work on building up the muscles around the affected joint in order to provide better support, reduce excess pressure, and improve stability.
- Flexibility and balance work: This will help you move more smoothly and feel more secure with everyday movements like walking, standing, climbing the stairs, and bending over.
- Helpful guidance and education: We provide clear advice on properly pacing your activity levels, using good movement habits, and keeping your joints protected as you recover, so you can safely keep doing the things you enjoy.
- Personalised care plans: After giving you exercises tailored to your experience and goals, we’ll schedule follow-up appointments, check in regularly, and make adjustments to your programme as needed. Our goal is the same as yours: to get you feeling and moving at your best.
At Physit, we’re here to help you progress at your own pace. We provide a whole-patient approach, including practical lifestyle tips, with thoughtful care that will help you feel stronger, more mobile, and more in control of your movement.
Conditions We Treat
Our London home and work visit physiotherapists are highly experienced in assessing and treating a wide range of conditions, including but not limited to:
0204 570 2391- Post-surgical rehabilitation (knee, hip, shoulder, and spinal surgeries, as well as general surgical recovery)
- Age-related mobility issues, including falls prevention and balance training
- Chronic pain management (back pain, arthritis, and joint stiffness)
- Neurological conditions impacting mobility and coordination
- Post-hospital deconditioning and general rehabilitation to restore strength, balance, and independence
- All musculoskeletal realted injuries or pain
Frequently Asked Questions About Cartilage & Meniscus Issues
1. What’s the difference between a cartilage injury and a meniscus injury?
Cartilage is the smooth tissue that lines and cushions the ends of bones in a joint. The meniscus is a special type of cartilage found in the knee that acts as a shock absorber between the thigh and shin bones. Both can be injured, but a meniscus injury specifically refers to damage within the knee, while cartilage problems can affect many joints throughout the body.
2. Can cartilage or meniscus damage heal without surgery?
In many cases, yes, especially when the damage is mild to moderate. Physiotherapy can help by improving the support around the joint, reducing unnecessary strain, and encouraging safer movement. While cartilage doesn’t regenerate easily, many people are able to manage their symptoms very well without the need for surgery.
3. Do I need imaging or a scan before starting physiotherapy?
Not always. A physiotherapist can often assess your symptoms and movement patterns without the need for scans. If we think imaging could be helpful, we’ll let you know and can guide you on next steps. In many cases, treatment can begin based on your current symptoms and how your body is functioning.
4. Do I need a referral to work with Physit for a cartilage or meniscus injury?
No referral is needed. You can book directly with Physit, and we’ll come to your home for a full assessment. From there, we’ll create a plan that is tailored to your needs and goals, and give you the support you need, every step of the way.
Let’s Get Your Joints Working Smoothly Again
Cartilage or meniscus pain can make everyday movement difficult, but it doesn’t have to stay that way. With Physit, our expert physiotherapy comes to you, easing away discomfort, building strength around your joints, and giving your long-term joint health a boost.
Whether you’re recovering from an injury or just want to feel more comfortable and in control, we’re here to help.
