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.