What are the signs and symptoms of an articular cartilage injury ?The symptoms of an articular cartilage injury are not as obvious as those of a meniscus tear or ligament injury.

Intermittent swelling - This is often the only symptom. The loose cartilage fragments floating in the knee can cause swelling to occur.
Pain - Pain with prolonged walking or climbing stairs can occur.
Giving way - The knee may occasionally buckle or give way when weight is placed upon it.
Locking or catching - The loose, floating pieces of cartilage may block the joint as it bends, causing the knee to lock.
Noise - The knee may make noise (crepitus) during motion, especially if the cartilage on the back of the kneecap is damaged.