Madonna links knee cartilage loss to decades of high‑heel dancing

Pop icon Madonna, now 67, disclosed that she has lost the cartilage in one knee. She said the condition results from many years of performing in high‑heeled shoes, running on pavement and practicing ashtanga yoga. Orthopedic specialist Dr. Luiz Felipe Carvalho explained that while high heels increase joint load, the primary cause is the cumulative stress of intense, repetitive performances over a long career. He noted that dancers, athletes and stage artists face higher risk of joint degeneration due to continuous high‑impact movements.

The doctor advised preventive measures such as maintaining a healthy weight, strengthening muscles that support the knee, alternating high‑impact activities with lower‑impact exercise, allowing adequate recovery time and treating injuries early. He emphasized that persistent joint pain should never be dismissed as normal aging.