You may be suffering from a condition called knee chondromalacia or chondromalacia patella if you’ve been experiencing dull, achy pain around or under your kneecap. In the past, any pain over the kneecap or patella (the anterior aspect of the knee) was often referred to as patellofemoral chondromalacia, but it actually describes a specific condition.
Most joints in your body are protected by a type of tissue called articular cartilage. This tissue covers the ends of bones inside a joint, which helps cushion the bones and allows them to glide smoothly against one another. It’s called chondromalacia (or knee chondromalacia) when the cartilage inside a joint softens and breaks down. Because the cartilage provides a smooth surface for the knee to bend and straighten, deterioration can result in pain, swelling, and decreased mobility.
The primary symptoms of chondromalacia patella include:
- A dull, aching pain around or under the kneecap that worsens with activity
- Swelling and stiffness of the knee
- A grinding, catching, or popping sensation when the knee is bent
- Knee pain when climbing stairs or hills
- Increased pain when sitting for extended periods of time with knees bent
Knee chondromalacia can’t be cured, but you can slow down progression by making lifestyle changes and modifications to your exercise routines. Physical therapy can also help, as can injection treatments, such as cortisone, hyaluronic acid, and platelet rich plasma (PRP).
I share more information and non-surgical and surgical treatments for knee chondromalacia in the specialties section of my website.