Chondromalacia Patella

KNEE PATELLA ANATOMY

DISEASE EXPLAINED

SYMPTOMS

SYMPTOMS
Chondromalacia patella will typically present as pain in the knee region, known as patellofemoral pain. You may feel sensations of grinding or cracking when bending or extending your knee. Pain may worsen after sitting for a prolonged period of time or during activities that apply extreme pressure to your knees, such as standing for an extended period or exercising.

Talk to your doctor if you have knee pain that doesn’t improve within a few days.

CAUSES

Your kneecap normally resides over the front of your knee joint. When you bend your knee, the backside of your kneecap glides over the cartilage of your femur, or thigh bone, at the knee. Tendons and ligaments attach your kneecap to your shinbone and thigh muscle. When any of these components fails to move properly, it can cause your kneecap to rub up against your thigh bone. This abnormal rubbing can lead to deterioration in the patella, resulting in chondromalacia patellae, or runner’s knee.

Improper kneecap movement may result from:

Poor alignment due to a congenital condition

Weak hamstrings and quadriceps (the muscles in the back and front of your thighs, respectively)

Muscle imbalance between the adductors and abductors (the muscles on the outside and inside of your thighs)

Repeated stress to your knee joints, such as from running, skiing, or jumping

A direct blow or trauma to your kneecap

TREATMENT

TREATMENT OPTIONS

The goal of treatment is to reduce the pressure on your kneecap and joint. Resting, stabilizing, and icing the joint may be the first line of treatment. The cartilage damage resulting in runner’s knee can often repair itself with rest.

Your doctor may prescribe several weeks of anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen, to reduce inflammation around the joint. If swelling, tenderness, and pain persist, the following treatment options may be explored.

PHYSICAL THERAPY
Physical therapy focusing on strengthening the quadriceps, hamstrings, adductors, and abductors can help improve your muscle strength and balance. Muscle balance will help prevent knee misalignment.

Typically recommended are non-weight-bearing exercises, such as swimming or riding a stationary bike. Additionally, isometric exercises that involve tightening and releasing your muscles can help to maintain muscle mass.

SURGERY
Arthroscopic surgery may be necessary to examine the joint and determine whether there’s misalignment of the knee. This surgery involves inserting a camera into your joint through a tiny incision. A surgical procedure may fix the problem. One common procedure is a lateral release. This operation involves cutting some of your ligaments to release tension and allow for more movement.

Other surgical options may involve smoothing the back of the kneecap, implanting a cartilage graft, or relocating the insertion of the thigh muscle.