Definition
Chondromalacia patella is a wearing down of the cartilage around the kneecap.
| Chondromalacia of the Knee |
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Risk Factors
This problem is more common in women. It is also more common in people under 40 years of age who are very active. The risk is greater in athletes, such as runners.
Other things that may raise the risk are:
- Poor training techniques, such as adding mileage too quickly
- A change in training surfaces
- Focusing on a single sport rather than cross training
- Having muscles that are not balanced
Symptoms
Problems may be:
- Knee pain that is worse with use, such as when running or using stairs
- Pain that has gotten worse over time
- A cracking sound when moving the knee
- Pain and stiffness in the knee after sitting for a long time
Diagnosis
The doctor will ask about your symptoms, health history, and the activities that you do. A physical exam will be done. It will focus on the knee. This is enough to make the diagnosis.
Treatment
The goal is to ease pain, improve motion, and stop or slow the problem from getting worse. This may be done with:
- Home care, rest, and medicine to ease pain and swelling
- Exercises to stretch and strengthen the muscles in the leg
- Crutches to keep weight off the leg
- A brace to keep the knee and foot from moving
Some people may need surgery, but it is not common.
Prevention
The risk of this problem may be lowered by:
- Raising activity levels slowly
- Varying activities rather than focusing on one
- Using the right techniques when playing sports
- Doing exercises that stretch and strengthen the leg muscles
- Wearing proper sports shoes or corrective footwear
RESOURCES
American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine http://www.sportsmed.org
OrthoInfo—American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons http://orthoinfo.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES
Canadian Orthopaedic Association http://www.coa-aco.org
Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation http://www.canorth.org
References
Knee pain. Merck Manual for Health Care Professionals website. Available at: http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/injuries%5Fpoisoning/sports%5Finjury/knee%5Fpain.html. Updated January 2020. Accessed March 30, 2020.
Lester JD, Watson JN, et al. Physical examination of the patellofemoral joint. Clin Sports Med. 2014 Jul;33(3):403-412.
Patellofemoral pain syndrome. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/patellofemoral-pain-syndrome . Updated November 6, 2019. Accessed March 30, 2020.
Patellofemoral pain syndrome (runner's knee). Johns Hopkins Medicine website. Available at: http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/conditions/adult/mens%5Fhealth/patellofemoral%5Fpain%5Fsyndrome%5Frunners%5Fknee%5F85,P07841. Accessed March 30, 2020.
Runner's knee (patellofemoral pain). American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons website. Available at: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/patellofemoral-pain-syndrome/. Updated February 2015. Accessed March 30, 2020.
Revision Information
- Reviewer: EBSCO Medical Review Board Teresa Briedwell, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS
- Review Date: 02/2020
- Update Date: 03/30/2020