Can a broken off piece of cartilage in the knee cause more damage to the knee?

Loose body: Unfortunately, the trauma involved in tearing off a section of cartilage which allows it to float in the knee--and become caught during extension or flexion of the leg on the thigh--has to be measured within a larger sphere: what caused the loose body and what else was damaged? Your Orthopaedic surgeon would have to decide after exam and MRI as to whether this should be removed arthroscopically.

Possible: Depending on the size of the broken cartilage, how was it damaged and to what extent your knee is utilized. An MRI scan would give you the best view of the damage area. Cartilages in your knees provide comfortable cushion and smooth interface for the knee bones to slide on each other during walking or running. A small broken piece may not be noticeable. Talk to a knee surgeon for more info.