Chondromalacia

Do you know all the factors that can contribute to the development of chondromalacia? Chondromalacia, characterized by the softening of the kneecap’s articular cartilage, produces pain behind or around the kneecap.

• Trauma to the knee can contribute to the development of chondromalacia.
• Overuse can contribute to the development of chondromalacia.
  • Runners, skiers, cyclists and soccer players most often come down with chondromalacia.
• Muscle weakness can contribute to the development of chondromalacia.
• Age can contribute to the development of chondromalacia.
  • Young people who develop chondromalacia can usually blame trauma or overuse.
  • If chondromalacia appears in someone older, this person may also have osteoarthritis.
• Tight hamstrings, heel cords and/or quadriceps can contribute to the development of chondromalacia.
• Mal-alignment can contribute to the development of chondromalacia. Over-pronation actually leads to mal-alignment, which means the lower leg twists inward while the quadriceps tendon pulls the patella outward.

Chronic knee is often diagnosed as chondromalacia, an abnormal softening of the cartilage that makes it difficult to move your knee.

Chondromalacia, also called Patella Femoral Syndrome or Runner’s Knee, occurs when the kneecap rubs against the lower end of the thighbone, rather than gliding smoothly over it. This repetition roughens the cartilage underneath the kneecap, producing pain in sufferers of chondromalacia.

The damage of chondromalacia can range from a slight abnormality of the cartilage surface, to a surface that has been completely worn away to the bone. Traumatic cases of chondromalacia occur when a blow to the kneecap actually tears off a piece of articular cartilage or bone.

Are you at risk for developing chondromalacia?

Many activities can even make the pain from chondromalacia feel worse!

• Continuing to take part in sports activities like running can increase the pain from chondromalacia.
• Walking up or down stairs can increase the pain from chondromalacia.
• Walking on a hill can contribute to the pain of chondromalacia.
• Taking part in any activity that forces the knee to bear weight as it’s straightened can worsen the pain from chondromalacia.

What are the best ways to treat and prevent chondromalacia?

The number one way to relieve pain from chondromalacia: Rest – take a break from all your activities and workouts – and ice the knee to reduce swelling.

If you have chondromalacia, but like working out a lot to stay in shape and burn calories, you don’t have to stop going to the gym completely. Swimming, riding a stationary bike or engaging in other low-impact exercises can help lessen pain from chondromalacia. Doing some low impact exercises that strengthen muscles, particularly within the quadriceps, can also help relieve pain from chondromalacia.

In addition, doctors recommend the following to help ease pain from chondromalacia:

• Using a knee brace provides relief from chondromalacia. FootSmart has many knee braces for chondromalacia available here on our online store.
• Stretching and strengthening the hamstrings and quadriceps can help decrease chondromalacia pain.
• Wearing shoes with added arch supports, especially during exercise or walking, is crucial to treating chondromalacia.
• Taking over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs can help relieve pain from chondromalacia.

You may need to see a doctor if the knee pain and swelling due to chondromalacia persists. Some cases of chondromalacia require orthotics and/or surgery.

Information on foot, leg and lower body health conditions like chondromalacia provided by The Podiatry Institute, dedicated to advancing the standard of care in podiatric medicine and its effects on muscoskeletal health.