Patellofemoral Chondromalacia is the most common cause of chronic knee pain. It is the abnormal softening of the cartilage of the underside of the kneecap. Patellofemoral Chondromalacia results from the degeneration of cartilage from poor alignment of the kneecap as it slides over the lower end of the thighbone. This pain is aggravated by prolonged sitting with bent knees.
Causes
Patellofemoral Chondromalacia occurs when the undersurface of the kneecap comes in contact with the thigh bone. This causes swelling and pain. Usually, improper kneecap movement is the cause for Patellofemoral Chondromalacia such as:
- Poor alignment from a congenital condition
- Weak hamstrings
- Direct trauma to your kneecap
- Repeated stress to your knee joints
- Muscle imbalance
Symptoms
The most prominent symptoms a Patellofemoral Chondromalacia may have is pain in the knee region. You may also sometimes feel a grinding or cracking when the knee is bent or extended. The pain may also worsen when sitting for a prolonged period of time or when performing activities where pressure is applied to the knees, such as exercise.
Treatment
The most effective treatment begins with extensive diagnostics. From here, Restore PDX will develop a personalized treatment plan that would best treat your injury. Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections is a non-invasive option for your Patellofemoral Chondromalacia.