Is this cartilage?

[onthepiste]

I injured my knee a few years ago playing football, falling on it and couldn't straighten it properly after unless i manipulated it in a certain way. However there was no real pain unless I tried to walk on it whilst not straight. Saw a doctor and they said probably cartilage, come back in 2 weeks!

Well i didn't as I found i could still play sport with it. More recently it has started occuring again. I play cricket and as I bowl, if I twist my knee whilst bending the same will occur and I can't straighten my leg without manipulating it. Again there isn't really any pain just an unpleasant feeling like somethings in the wrong place.

If it was cartilage surely there would be pain or stiffness?

Any advice on what this is and is it worth seeing someone about it as most of the time it doesnt stop me playing sport.

[Heidi]

Hi

It could well be an old cartilage injury. To my knowledge (please correct me if I am wrong!), some parts of the meniscus are not very wel innervated (i.e. few/no nerves) and so are not very sensative. Alternatively, it may be a 'loose body' - basically a free bit of cartilage floating around in the joint. Again this may not be painful and both can cause this kind of locking that you describe.

It may be worth visiting a physio or similar just to get it checked out. Given that its not really painful and doesn't stop you with daily activities, surgery would be extrememly unlikely unless you went private. Alternatively, a physio would probably prescribe a rehabilitation programme.

http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/front/knee/medialmeniscus.htm

You can find an example rehab programme at the page above.