Chondromalacia Patella
Overview
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
SymptomsandDiagnosis
Treatments
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.
This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.
Edits to original content made by Denver Health.
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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.