Chondromalacia Patella is a disease of the knee characterized by the softening of the cartilage of a tender knee cap. It is sometimes referred to as "anterior knee pain." This is a general term for a condition where the cartilage surface of the patella (knee cap) is softened. This medical condition may be caused by many factors including abnormal pressure across the joint surface or hormonal changes in the body.
1.) Signs and Symptoms of Chondromalacia Patella
The pain that is associated to Chondromalacia patella is usually located over the front of the knee cap. It can be described as a deep aching pain. The pain can also accompanied by swelling and is usually worse when the knee is bent for long periods of time. The pain gets even worse during activities such as squatting, kneeling or stair climbing, either up or down stairs.
Some patients have reported a grinding feeling in their kneecap stating that they can feel tender as well. This problem affects more females than males especially after a growth spurt where the knee must carry more weight.
Experts usually refer to the precursor of this medical condition as "excess lateral pressure syndrome." This is defined by the condition where the tender knee cap tends to sit too far out to the side of the knee. This problem is usually predisposed by the shape of the bone and genetics. This is where the knee cap is most tender when pushing on its outside, or lateral, surface.
2.) Treatment Options
A.) Can Surgery Be The Answer? - Most orthopedists agree that chondromalacia should be first treated conservatively. Surgery is not included in the primary options of treating the tender knee cap. However, each person may exhibit different conditions and the orthopedist may, in rare and severe cases, recommend surgery.
B.) Do Knee Braces Work? - The use of a knee support to help control the patella can be extremely useful. Many of these braces are light weight and offer support to a tender kneecap while sitting, standing, and walking. They are not really expensive and will allow you to move very easily.
3.) Controlling the Pain due to a Tender Knee Cap
A. ) Ice, or cold therapy, is an effective way to relieve the pain caused by the disease. However, do not apply ice directly to your skin for more than 5 minutes as it can cause burns. Use an appropriate device which can be used to cool your joint for longer periods.
B. ) Non-prescription pain medications can also be used to manage the pain. This type of drugs includes anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen and naproxen and pain medications like acetaminophen. The supplement glucosamine sulfate can also have some beneficial effects when used by patients suffering from the disease. However, you have to use glucosamine sulfate continuously for at least two months before it can manifest its full effect. - See your physician for details on your specific requirements.
C. ) Knee Support: As mentioned earlier in this article, one of the best ways to provide stability during treatment is by bracing. Special knee braces can provide pain relief by stimulating some of the nerve fibers making your joint more stable and secure.
Aside from being used as a supportive device in the treatment of chondromalacia, knee brace may help to better position your patella in its groove so that it "tracks" more centrally. This can greatly helps at relieving the pain. Specially designed knee braces help your patella tracking and are exceptionally useful for people with excessive lateral pressure syndrome that causes intense pain on the outer and undersurface of the tender knee cap.
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