Abstract: As one kind of semi-rigid, avascular and non-innervated connective tissue, cartilage has a variety of physiological functions such as load-bearing, stress-cushioning and movement-assisting. The intrinsic self-repair ability of cartilage is poor, and it is not easy for cartilage to reverse and is difficult to treat the injury. In recent years, many studies have shown that appropriate electromagnetic radiation has positive significance for the maintenance of chondrocytes morphology, the secretion of its related cytokines, the homeostasis of cartilage extracellular matrix, and the treatment of osteoarthritis. This paper reviews the biological effects of electromagnetic radiation on cartilage and its possible mechanism.