Chondromalacia Patella, more commonly known as Runners Knee, generally starts out as a vague pain during or after exercising and is the most common cause of pain in the front of the knee. Chondromalacia Patella often occurs in athletes and young adults and is associated with overuse, trauma, or abnormal forces on the knee. It is more common in females, especially in young female athletes. Chondromalacia Patella is also seen in older individuals as the result of arthritis of the kneecap. People who have previously had a dislocation, a fracture, or other trauma to the kneecap may be more likely to get Chondromalacia Patella.
What is Chondromalacia Patella or Runners Knee?
Chondromalacia Patella is the softening and degeneration of the cartilage underneath the patella or as it is more commonly known, the kneecap. Under normal circumstances, cartilage is smooth and shiny so that it glides easily along the articular groove of the femur as the knee bends. Chondromalacia Patella causes the water content of cartilage to increase and as a result, the cartilage loses its normal shock-absorbing ability, causing the kneecap to rub against one side of the knee joint. The undersurface of the kneecap irritates or blisters the cartilage surface and anterior knee pain results.
Activities that require a significant amount of kneeling, squatting, and stair climbing are commonly associated with Chondromalacia Patella. In runners, increased mileage or hilly terrain may bring on the symptoms of Chondromalacia patella.
What are the Symptoms of Chondromalacia Patella or Runners Knee?
The main symptom of Chondromalacia Patella is a deep aching pain in the front of the knee that worsens when walking uphill or climbing stairs. Other symptoms of Chondromalacia Patella or Runners Knee include knee tenderness, knee pain in the front of the knee that worsens after sitting for prolonged time, knee pain that worsens with using stairs or getting out of a chair, and a grating or grinding sensation when the knee is extended.
How is Chondromalacia Patella or Runners Knee Treated?
Though surgery is sometimes recommended, most often treatment for Chondromalacia Patella or Runners Knee includes temporarily avoiding activities that worsen pain, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication, and physical therapy to strengthen the quadriceps and hamstring muscles.
Knee braces are also often used in cases of Chondromalacia Patella or Runners Knee to stabilize the knee during rehabilitation and for individuals who want to stay active in sports. A patella stabilizing brace applies uniform compression which helps guide the patella and improve tracking. Knee strap braces provide focused mild pressure on the tendon below the knee cap to help provide pain relief as well as improve knee stability.
How is Chondromalacia Patella or Runners Knee Prevented?
One way to reduce the symptoms of Chondromalacia Patella or Runners Knee is to avoid or modify those activities which aggravate the condition and to warm-up and stretch out before sports, especially the quadriceps and hamstrings. One of the easiest things to do to minimize pain is to avoid exercising on hard surfaces.
Avoid squatting, kneeling, stairs and hill running as much as possible. Icing the knee after aggravating activities and occasional use of aspirin or other anti-inflammatory medication may also be helpful.
A patella stabilizing brace is often recommended during any activities that may aggravate the conditions of Chondromalacia Patella. The most important thing is to listen to your body and don't do the things that increase the pain.
