The cartilage damage resulting in runners knee can often repair itself with rest. Chondromalacia patella results from degeneration of cartilage due to poor alignment of the kneecap patella as it slides over the lower end of the thighbone femur. Strengthening and stretching exercises are the 2 types of physical exercises which are recommended in order to recover as well as stop chondromalacia patella from recurrence. The usual treatment advised is to avoid overuse of the knee and to. Most chondromalacia of the patella injured cartilage is effectively managed with nonoperative measures consisting of activity modification, rest, physical therapy and quadriceps strengthening, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory medications, intrarticular steroid.
Knee exercises for chondromalacia patella simple strategies to reduce knee pain. A long term solution patellofemoral pain syndrome can be a difficult condition to manage effectively. Chondromalacia patella, also called chondromalacia of the patella, condition in which the cartilage on the undersurface of the kneecap patella becomes softened or damaged. Treatment the best treatment for patellofemoral syndrome is to avoid activities that compress the patella against the femur with force. Chondromalacia is the term used to describe a patellofemoral joint that has been structurally damaged, while the term patellofemoral pain syndrome pfps refers. This process is sometimes referred to as patellofemoral syndrome. Chondromalacia causes front knee pain, swelling and clickinggrinding noises when moving the knee. These soft tissues include the tendons, the fat pad beneath the patella, and the synovial tissue that lines the knee joint. Emory sports medicine center 404 7786214 excessive lateral. Emory sports medicine center 404 7786214 excessive. Pdf to text batch convert multiple files software please purchase personal license.
Rehabilitation for patellofemoral syndrome chondromalacia. And it can hurt due to something called chondromalacia patella, a situation where the. Patellofemoral overload syndrome patellar pain syndrome anterior knee pain syndrome runners knee. Chondromalacia patellae cmp is referred to as anterior knee pain due to the physical and biomechanical changes. Exercises the thigh muscles quadriceps help keep the kneecap patella stable and in place. Chondromalacia patellae, which literally means soft patellar cartilage, is. Chondromalacia patellae by definition means soft cartilage under the kneecap. Nonsurgical treatments of patellofemoral syndrome depending on the cause of pfs, treatment could be as simple as changing your shoes and stopping or modifying the activity that causes pain. Pfs may turn in to chondromalacia patella over time if not treated.
Weak quadriceps increase the risk of patellar tracking disorder. The goal of treatment if to improve pain and improve function. The role of autologous chondrocyte implantation in the. Resting, stabilizing, and icing the joint may be the first line of treatment. Most of us dont notice a sesameshaped bone called the kneecap until it hurts. Chondromalacia patella is a common knee condition where there is softening and damage to the cartilage on the back of the patella kneecap. If these modalities are unsuccessful then surgery is an option. Doctor answers on symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and more.
Chondromalacia of the patella is the most common cause of anterior knee pain in young women. Classically, the term refers to pathologic findings at the time of surgery. How is a patellofemoral syndrome and chondromalacia. Chondromalacia patella is one of the most common causes of chronic knee pain. The author has developed a treatment programme which has a ninetysix percent success rate. Chondromalacia patellae is a subgroup of conditions that cause kneecap pain. Typically, the history is of spontaneous onset of pain behind the patella, the pain. Extension loss due to patella baja is a rare but devastating postoperative complication associated with knee surgery. It is caused by imbalances in the forces controlling patellar tracking during knee flexion and. Chondromalacia patellae which is also known as cmp is inflammation of the underside of the patella and softening of the cartilage. Physical therapy is often recommended for treatment of pain and dysfunction associated with patellofemoral syndrome and chondromalacia of the patella. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.
Chondromalacia patellae radiology reference article. Chondromalacia patella is degeneration of the cartilage underneath the kneecap. Chondromalacia can be divided into 4 grades by mri, typically using fat saturated proton density sequences. Chondromalacia patella symptoms, treatment, surgery, and cure. What are the treatments for chondromalacia patellae. The most common way to treat symptoms of chondromalacia patella is to rest the knee. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read on the webmd site. Amadeus mason md emory sports medicine center 404 7786214. If your doctor suspects chondromalacia patella, mri scans will be used to check for damage to the cartilage and other soft tissues in the knee. The pain of chondromalacia patella is aggravated by activity or prolonged sitting with bent knees abnormal tracking allows the kneecap patella to grate over the lower end of the thighbone femur, causing chronic inflammation and pain. Chondromalacia patellae patellofemoral pain syndrome is a term that applies only to individuals without cartilage damage, thereby distinguishing it from chondromalacia patellae, a condition characterized by softening of the patellar articular cartilage.
It affects women more often than men because women experience greater lateral pressures on the patella. Get a physical therapist or knowledgeable trainer to tape your kneecap area for chondromalacia. A patients guide to chondromalacia patella compliments of. Get a knee jumpers strap that velcros just under you kneecap at the top of the patella tendon and use the edge of the raised underpad to push your kneecap medially inside. The usual treatment advised is to avoid overuse of the knee. How to treat chondromalacia naturally chondromalacia. If it is symptomatic, pain management and rehabilitative treatment are the primary options. Cmp usually does not require treatment if there are no symptoms. Gpnotebook stores small data files on your computer called. What are the treatments for chondromalacia patella answers. The most common tendinitis about the knee is irritation of the patellar tendon. Chondromalacia patella treatment, exercises, surgery. Poor mechanics with activities such as weight lifting.
For those reasons, the diagnosis is difficult, because there is no consensus about the pathophysiology and the treatment remains a challenge. Pain results when the knee and the thigh bone femur rub together. Medical treatment for patellofemoral pain syndrome is designed to relieve pain and restore range of motion and strength. Rehabilitation for patellar tendinitis jumpers knee and. Patellofemoral pain syndrome is a broad term used to describe pain in the front of the knee and around the patella, or kneecap. Chondromalacia patella knee pain is the softening and breakdown of the tissue cartilage on the underside of the kneecap patella. Chondromalacia patella radiology, or medical imaging tests, include xrays and mri scans and are used to diagnose disease and damage within the body. It tends to affect young, healthy and often sporty people, most commonly affecting adolescents and young adults. Patellofemoral pain syndrome university health services. An xray is needed to properly diagnose chondromalacia patellae. While the term chondromalacia sometimes refers to abnormalappearing cartilage anywhere in the body, it most commonly denotes irritation of the underside of the kneecap or patella.
In fact, it also tilts and rotates, so there are various points of contact between the undersurface of the patella and the femur. This grading system is the modified outerbridge grading system, which was devised for arthroscopy initially for assessment of chondromalacia patella, but then modified and extended for all chondral surfaces. Chondromalacia patella or patellofemoral syndrome can be a very painful knee condition. These conditions fall under the patellofemoral pain syndrome conditions. Pdf chondromalacia patella and new diagnostic criteria.
Chondromalacia patella is a common knee problem that affects the patella. Cold compress putting an ice pack over the patella will help reduce the pain and swelling in the area. The etiology of the disease is not wellunderstood but the initial lesion is a disorganization of. Apr 01, 2020 chondromalacia patella is weakening and softening of the cartilage on the underside of the kneecap patella. Jan 11, 2018 chondromalacia patellae, also known as runners knee, is a condition where the cartilage on the undersurface of the patella kneecap deteriorates and softens. While taking some rest will help in reducing pressure on joints or kneecaps. The most common causes of patella baja are prolonged postoperative immobilization, overdistalization of the patellar tendon during patella related surgical procedures i. Comparison between thecomparison between the different morphologic types ofdifferent morphologic types of the patella in patients withthe patella in patients with chondromalacia and normalchondromalacia and normal personspersons.
Pdf bone density in patients with chondromalacia patella. Learn more about the chondromalacia patellae and their causes, risk factors, symptoms knee pain, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, prevention, and surgery. Outerbridge, new westminster, british columbia, canada astudy oftheliterature onchondromalacia ofthepatella shows that itsetiology isill understood. Another useful method for the treatment of chondromalacia patella cmp is sports massage. Chondromalacia patella is a distinct clinical entity in which there is anterior knee pain and softening or breakdown of the articular cartilage on the medial and odd facet of the patella. Excessive lateral patellar compression syndrome 245 injections of corticosteroids may uncommonly be.
Chondromalacia patella was what put a hold on my running for a good while. Harhay on what are the treatments for chondromalacia patella. Changes can also affect the lateral facet, especially if there is tightness of the lateral patellar retinaculum, as described by ficat 1. Tight hamstrings or triceps surea gastrocnemiussoleus may restrict talocrural dorsi. In some cases of patellofemoral pain, a condition called chondromalacia patella is present. Chondromalacia usually affects young, athletic otherwise healthy individuals as a result of overuse, injury or too much stress on the knee. Inconsistent use of these terms has led to an element of disparity in the literature over the causes of chondromalacia patellae. Treatment, surgery, recovery of chondromalacia patella. The symptoms of chondromalacia patella are usually pain in the front of the knee that is aggravated by going up and down stairs, sitting for long periods of time with the knees bent such as in a movie and when doing deep knee bends. Chondromalacia patella advanced physical therapy ct. It is important that you read this booklet, so you have a better understanding of the condition and its management. During the surgery, a small cut about 1 cm is made surgically around the knee. The information provided herein should not be used for diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition.
Chondromalacia the complete injury guide vive health. However, in most cases, exercises with or without formal physical therapy is all that is needed to correct the problem. Chondromalacia patellae is a term sometimes treated synonymously with patellofemoral pain syndrome. Chondromalacia patellae is damage to the cartilage at the back of the kneecap patella. Tight itb may force the patella into lateral tracking. This means avoiding going up and down stairs and hills, deep knee bends, kneeling, stepaerobics and high impact aerobics. Patella taping is often a key part of cmp treatment and rehabilitation. Outcomes of prolotherapy in chondromalacia patella patients.
If these are too tight or too loose, you have a greater risk of patellar tracking disorder. If you were suffering from chondromalacia patella, then it is essential to give your knee some rest. Feb 17, 2014 the results of this study suggest that prolotherapy in the treatment of chondromalacia patella is associated with substantial gains in pain relief and functionality. Ligaments and tendons also help stabilize the patella.
Chondromalacia patellae causes, symptoms exercises and. Alignment or overuse problems of the patella can lead to wear and tear of the cartilage behind the patella. Mar 02, 20 the diagnosis and treatment of patellofemoral pain is a challenging but common clinical problem. It is sometimes called runners knee or jumpers knee because it is common in people who participate in sportsparticularly females and young adultsbut patellofemoral pain syndrome can occur in nonathletes, as well. Chattanooga, tn 423 6242696 when the knee moves, the kneecap patella slides to remain in contact with the lower end of the thigh bone trochlear groove of the femur. Pfps is a common condition causing knee pain in both athletes and nonathletes, which. Chondromalacia patella dnbid lecture 2012 authorstream. Chondromalacia patellae treated by warming needle and. Articular cartilage is a very specialized structure that covers the surfaces of bone. Patellofemoral pain syndrome pfps is the most common cause of knee pain in the outpatient setting. There are a few other diagnoses that may be used for pain at or around the kneecap. Rest also assist in recovering cartilage damage which seen in a runner. Treatment options for chondromalacia patellae the goal of treatment is to reduce the pressure on your kneecap and joint.
How to exercise and stay fit with chondromalacia caloriebee. Pressure between the patella and femur is minimized when the knee is straight or only slightly bent. Many authors believe that cmp and patellofemoral pain. Patellar femoral pain syndrome pfps oxford university hospitals. The usual treatment advised is to avoid overuse of the knee and to have physiotherapy, which is effective in. Several terms, including anterior knee pain and patellofemoral pain syndrome, are used to describe the group of related pathologic entities resulting in pain in the anterior aspect of the knee. Chondromalacia patellasports massageexercisesstretching. Pdf chondromalacia patella cmp is a disease in which the cartilage of patella is genetically soften and easily wears away. Rehabilitation for patellofemoral syndrome chondromalacia patella brett sanders, md center for sports medicine and orthopaedic 2415 mccallie ave. It is felt that the degeneration of this particular cartilage occurs because of improper alignment of the kneecap in relation to the bone of the thigh, the femur.
Effectivenness of prp on pain, function and quality of. Arthroscopic knee surgery for chondromalacia patella cmp helps in free movement of the knee cap. The success rate of most treatment regimes has been poor and in the long term the condition frequently recurs. Differential diagnoses for anterior knee pain include hoffa disease, osteochondritis dessicans of the patellofemoral joint.
As prolotherapy is a simple, rapid, and a lowmorbidity option for use in the outpatient setting, it can be considered a firstline conservative therapy for chondromalacia patella. Chondromalacia patella is the most common cause of chronic knee pain chondromalacia patella has also been called patellofemoral syndrome. When your knees hurt, doing knee exercises may be the last thing you want to do but making smart knee exercise choices just might be the solution to help reduce your knee pain. Most writers havebeenwilling toaccept injury asitscause without much question. The diagnosis and treatment of patellofemoral pain is a challenging but common clinical problem. Pdf the surgical treatment of chondromalacia patellae. It involves minimal invasive surgery for the treatment of chondromalacia patella cmp. Improper motion of the patella as the quadriceps muscle contracts. Chondromalacia patella symptoms, causes, treatment. Treatment of chondromalacia patella the treatment of this problem is usually nonoperative and includes. Dull, aching pain andor a feeling of grinding when the knee is flexed may occur. Chondromalacia patella is the softening and breakdown of the articular cartilage on the underside of the kneecap. The aims of chondromalacia patella rehabilitation are to decrease pain and inflammation, strengthen weak muscles of the knee and hip, stretch tight muscles and gradually return to full fitness. In the aging process the cartilage loses some of its molecules that help.
The articular cartilage of the posterior surface of the patella is going though degenerative changes which manifest as a softening, swelling, fraying, and erosion of the hyaline cartilage underlying the patella and sclerosis of the underlying bone. The patella s posterior surface is covered with a layer of smooth cartilage, which the base of the femur normally glides smoothly against when the knee is bent. The only way to alter knee morphology is by performing surgery, and sometimes that is required. Knee problems are very common, especially with hard training athletes. Placing of an ice or cold pack to the area for 1520 minutes, four times daily, for several days. Chondromalacia patellae refers to softening and degeneration of the articular hyaline cartilage of the patella and is a frequent cause of anterior knee pain. Chondromalacia patellae, also known as runners knee, is a condition where the cartilage on the undersurface of the patella kneecap deteriorates and softens. Patellofemoral pain syndrome is defined as pain around the kneecap. Introduction the patella, or kneecap, can be a source of knee pain when it fails to function properly. Chondromalacia patella and new diagnostic criteria.
The best treatment for patellofemoral syndrome is to avoid activities that compress the patella against the femur with force. In fact, its often called runners knee because of the association. Chondromalacia patella is one of the groups of conditions that cause anterior knee pain. Patellofemoral arthralgia and chrondomalacia patellae. Four methods of surgical treatment of chondromalacia patellae have been evaluated after periods ranging from two to thirty years average seven years, to discover the success rate, complications. Excessive lateral patellar compression syndrome is charac. In particular, the diagnosis has tended to be used synonymously with both anterior knee pain and patellofemoral pain syndrome pfps. What is patellar femoral pain syndrome pfps pfps is a common condition causing knee pain in both athletes and nonathletes, which can affect both men and women of all ages. The physical therapist will evaluate the patients mobility, flexibility and strength with the purpose of determining the underlying cause of the abnormal stress on the patella. For the teenager with chondromalacia, the objective of treatment is to restore normal patella alignment with the help of exercises. Patellar tendon tenotomy for treatment of patella baja and. This pain is usually made worse with activities that increase the stress on the patellofemoral joint, for example, stair. When anterior knee pain or kneecap pain exists in the absence of cartilage softening is can be referred to as patellofemoral pain syndrome.