At Vitalis Physiotherapy, our treatment for Chondromalacia Patella aim to:
Chondromalacia Patella Treatment
What Is Chondromalacia Patella?
Chondromalacia Patella, usually described as an overload injury, is where the cartilage behind the patella deteriorates and softens. The cartilage acts as a natural shock absorber, so when it deteriorates your knees have a reduced ability to absorb the movements from day-to-day use, resulting in pain. While this might sound like osteoarthritis, this condition differs because the cartilage is only deteriorating on one side of the patellar whereas it deteriorates on both sides in osteoarthritis.
Chondromalacia patella is a graded condition, with grades based on the amount of cartilage deteriorated; more severe cases may require surgery to treat. This condition is one of the most common causes of anterior knee pain in adolescents and young adults.
What Are The Causes Of Chondromalacia Patella?
The cause of Chondromalacia Patella is poorly understood, although it is believed that the causes are:
- Overloading
- Post-traumatic injuries
- Microtrauma wear and tear
- Patellofemoral contact
- Patellar malalignment due to an underlying condition
- Weak hamstrings and quadriceps
- Muscle strength imbalance between the adductors and abductors
- Repeated stress to your knee joints
- Trauma to the kneecap
- Iatrogenic injections of medication to the knee
What Are The Risk Factors?
Some of the risk factors for this condition include:
- Adolescents and young adults are at high risk for this condition
- Females are more likely than males to develop this condition
- People with a flat foot
- High activity level
- Being overweight
- People with arthritis
- Trauma
What Are The Symptoms?
- Dull, aching pain that is felt:
- Behind the kneecap
- Below the kneecap
- On the sides of the kneecap
- A feeling of grinding or cracking when the knee is flexed
Treatment For Chondromalacia Patella
- Custom orthotics
- Patellar taping
- TECAR
- Joint mobilisation
- Strength training
- Tailored exercise program
- Self management techniques
- Education
Your physiotherapist may also recommend a patellar realignment brace for severe cases.
What Can I Do At Home?
There are several things that you can do from home to help relieve the pain of Chondromalacia Patella. They include:
- Resting the knee and limiting physical activity
- Wearing supportive and well fitting shoes
- Ice to reduce the pain of an acute flare up, but it is not recommended as a long term treatment
How to book an appointment?
If you think you have chondromalacia patella, or are looking for a physiotherapist near me, the team at Vitalis Physiotherapy can assess your condition to tailor a unique rehabilitation plan to aid in your pain relief and recovery.
All you need to do is just give us a call on 0410 559 856 and request an initial appointment. Please let our friendly reception staff know the background and severity of your condition.
You can visit our FAQs for more information about appointments at Vitalis Physiotherapy.
Need Help?
Are you in pain caused by chondromalacia patella? Contact Vitalis Physiotherapy now to book in your treatment.
Call our friendly team on 0410 559 856. We’d love to help.
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