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.
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.
