Objective To study the damage propagation and evolution mechanism of cartilage under compressive load. Methods The fiber-reinforced porous elastic model of cartilage with micro-defect was established by using finite element method, and the process of damage evolution under compressive load was simulated and analyzed with parameters. The patterns of stress and strain distributions on cartilage matrix and collagen fiber at different damage extension stage were obtained. Results The strain in surface and the forefront of cartilage damage increased significantly with the increase of compression displacement, and they were obviously in positive correlation; in the process of damage evolution, there was a trend that cartilage extended to the deep and both sides simultaneously; cracks and damage in cartilage extended preferentially along the fiber tangent direction. With the aggravation of cartilage damage, the lateral extension speed was significantly faster than the longitudinal extension speed. Conclusions The process of cartilage damage extension has a close relationship with the distribution of fibers. And the damage in matrix and fiber promote each other. The evolution speed and degree of cartilage vary constantly in different layers and at different stages. These results can provide the qualitative reference for prediction and repair of cartilage damage, as well as the theoretical basis for explaining clinical pathological phenomena of damage degeneration and treatment.