Chondromalacia - Diagnosis and Treatment

Chondromalacia patella is a painful condition of the knee caused by a breakdown of the cartilage behind the knee cap, usually caused by overuse or direct trauma.
If you think you may be suffering from chondromalacia patella, the first line of treatment is to rest, apply compression and ice to the area to reduce inflammation.

It is important to visit a professional to have the cause identified. A biomechanical assessment will identify any problems with your walking and the alignment of joints. For example a foot which is not aligned with the knee may be causing the lower leg to rotate, putting a twist on the knee. Any problems can be corrected and strengthening exercises can be prescribed.


Patella taping can be used to instantly reduce pain by preventing the kneecap from constantly rubbing.  A patella knee support can support the patella and relieve pain. In some cases manipulation techniques can ease the discomfort.

A full knee exercise regime should be undertaken.. Exercises aimed at increasing the strength of the muscle on the inside of the knee and stretching the muscle on the outside of the knee is most often needed, although your podiatrist or physiotherapist will advise accordingly.  

The main message is, don't suffer in silence.  Visit your podiatrist and request a biomechanical assessment. Help is out there!

Chondromalacia - What are the symptoms?

Chondromalacia patella is a breakdown of the cartilage in the knee, usually due to trauma or mal-tracking of the patella over the knee joint.

The most common symptom of chondromalacia patella,  is a dull, aching pain in the front of your knee, behind your kneecap/patella. It can flare up after you have been sitting in one position for a long time. For example, your knee may be painful and stiff after a long trip in a car or aeroplane and it is often worse first thing in the morning; it may therefore be confused with an arthritic problem.  The pain can get worse when you go up or down stairs.

Chondromalacia can sometimes make your knee joint "lock" which means you suddenly have trouble moving it past a certain point.  Sometimes the joint may buckle or not support you effectively, which tends to occur when you bend your knee repeatedly, especially when you go up or down stairs. Occasionally the knee may be swollen and hot. 




Chondromalacia can cause a grinding sensation when you move your knee. This is not always a true test of diagnosis, as there are many other conditions which cause the knee to creak.

If you are struggling with chondromalacia, please visit a professional for advice.

Chondromalacia - What is it?

You may have heard of Chondromalacia and know that it commonly refers to a condition of the knee. 
Why would the Footcare Clinic be interested in a knee problem?
Actually, any problem which causes you to walk differently is of paramount importance to your podiatrist because it will be affecting your feet and the problems you may have. Conversely, the way you walk and the angle at which you position your foot during walking may be the cause of chondromalacia in the first place.

The joints in our bodies are cushioned with articular cartilage. As each joint moves, the cartilage helps to cushion the bones and allows them to glide smoothly over one another.

Sometimes, the cartilage inside a joint softens and breaks down. This condition is called chondromalacia. and  as the joint moves, the ends of the bones can rub together, causing pain. Sometimes the cartilage can wear away completely, exposing the bone underneath and then the surface can grind painfully against the other bone(s) in the joint. The cells in the area respond by producing fluid in the joint, called joint effusion, i.e. swelling.


In the knee, chondromalacia-patella can be caused by an acute injury such as sudden impact, or from overuse usually due to the position of the patella itself, known as mal-tracking, where the patella moves sideways as a result of a muscle imbalance.
It is common in young athletes who depend on knee activity, especially runners, skiers, cyclists and other athletes. Anyone who spends a lot of time kneeling is also at risk, for example, floor layers.

If you are suffering with knee pain, get it checked out and remember to mention it when you visit your podiatrist. They may be able to help with a biomechanical assessment and orthotics.