What is it?
Chondromalacia Patella; also known as anterior knee pain or patella femoral joint pain is caused by softening or wear and tear to the cartilage under the knee cap (patella).
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms can range from mild to severe where pain is usually experienced at the front, around or behind the patella.
Pain is usually worse when going up or coming downstairs, after prolonged sitting and from overuse. Grating or grinding (crepitus) can be felt when the knee is moved.
Occasionally there may be swelling (effusion) of the knee joint.
What causes Chondromalacia Patella?
Common in young adults it is thought that the knee cap rubs against the lower part of the thighbone (femur) instead of gliding over it smoothly damaging the cartilage. It commonly affects girls more than boys.
It can be associated with: –
- Overuse e.g. in certain sports
- Muscle imbalances (weakness or tightness) causing malalignment and altered tracking of the patella
- Hypermobility causing micro trauma to the knee
- Aging process if experienced later in life
How is Chondromalacia Patella diagnosed?
A thorough subjective (questioning) and objective (physical) examination is usually sufficient to make a diagnosis.
Occasionally a blood test, an x-ray and an MRI scan can help to rule out some types of arthritis or inflammation. An arthroscopy can also be performed which is when a small camera is inserted into the knee to assess the condition of the cartilage.
How can we help?
We have paediatric musculoskeletal physiotherapists who can offer advice on the acute management of Chondromalacia Patella and activities.
Stretching and strengthening exercises may be provided to support the knee and help to correct muscle imbalances.
Taping of the patella can help to realign the way the patella moves.
Prognosis.
Most people get better with physiotherapy and it isn’t thought to be associated with osteoarthritis later in life. Occasionally surgical options are required if all other treatments have not helped.
Please contact a member of our team for further information.