Chondromalacia Patella (Runner’s Knee), What is it and How to Treat It?

Chondromalacia Patella is an unusual softening of the cartilage of the underside of the kneecap (patella). It causes pain in the front of the knee. Chondromalacia patellae are one of the common causes of chronic knee pain. Degeneration of cartilage due to improper knee alignment (patella) results in Chondromalacia patellae as it slides over the lower end of the thighbone. This process is mostly referred to as patellofemoral syndrome.

Improper kneecap movement may result from:

Weak alignment due to a congenital condition.
Poor muscles in the back and front of thighs.
Imbalance of muscle between inside and outside of thighs.
Repeated load to knee joints because of running, jumping, skiing, etc.
Direct trauma or pressure to the kneecap.

Also, there are a variety of factors that can increase the risk of developing chondromalacia patellae:

Age: Young adults and adolescents are at high risk for this condition as, during growth spurts, the bones and muscles grow rapidly, which may contribute to short-term muscle imbalances.

Gender: Women are at higher risk to develop runner’s knee as compared to males, as they possess less muscle mass than males. This causes abnormal knee positioning, as well as more pressure on the kneecap.

Flat feet: Having flat feet places more stress on the knee joints than having higher arches would.

Previous injury: A past injury to the kneecap, such as a dislocation, increases your risk of developing runner’s knee.

Higher levels of activity: If you have activity level is high or you engage in frequent exercises that require placing pressure on your knee joints, this may increase the risk for knee problems.

Arthritis: Runner’s knee may also be a symptom of arthritis, a condition that causes inflammation to the joint and the tissue.

Treatment for Chondromalacia Patella

The aim of treatment is to reduce the stress on your kneecap and joint., stabilizing, icing, and resting the joint is a few lines of treatment. The cartilage damage resulting in the runner’s knee often gets repaired by itself with proper rest.

Some non-steroidal and anti-inflammatory medication could be advised, such as ibuprofen – to reduce inflammation around the joint. If the case of tenderness, swelling, and pain still persists, the following treatment options may be useful:

Physical therapy

Physical therapy focuses on strengthening the quadriceps, hamstrings, adductors. Abductors improve muscle strength and balance. Muscle balance helps prevent knee misalignment.

Taping / Strapping

The taping technique is done to control the position of the patella. It is ideal for returning to the sport as it encourages correct patella tracking. Patella knee support may help support the patella and relieve pain.

Knee Braces and Splints

There are a wide range and variety of Knee braces and splints which are specially designed to stabilize and enhance knee alignment. At C2C, we provide Custom Knee Braces in Ottawa.

Surgery

Arthroscopic surgery could be necessary to determine the joint and examine whether there is a misalignment of the knee. One usual procedure is a lateral release. This operating procedure includes cutting some of your ligaments to release tension and allowing for more movement.

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

Searching for Knee Pain Physiotherapy in Ottawa?

At Care2Cure, our highly qualified team of specialists are trained to diagnose and effectively treat Chondromalacia Patella via a range of proven treatments.

Care2Cure believes in providing the best physiotherapy and rehabilitation service by assisting our clients with a personal approach. Our personalized approach towards health and wellbeing includes observing and analyzing a patient’s general habits and lifestyle.

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