

KNEE SURGERY

	KNEE REPLACEMENT ARTHROSCOPIC PROCEDURES KNEE ANATOMY AND FUNCTION
KNEE CONDITIONS

	PATELLAR TENDONITIS CHONDROMALACIA PATELLA RUNNERS KNEE BAKER'S CYST BURSITIS ARTHRITIS OSTEOARTHRITIS PLICA SYNDROME OSGOOD-SCHLATTER DISEASE OSTEOCHONDRITIS (OCD) PATELLOFEMORAL DISORDERS
KNEE INJURIES

	ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT INJURY (ACL) ARTICULAR CARTILAGE LESIONS LATERAL COLLATERAL LIGAMENT INJURY (LCL) MEDIAL COLLATERAL LIGAMENT INJURY (MCL) PATELLAR TENDON RUPTURE POSTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT INJURY (PCL) TORN MENISCUS (Cartilage) FRACTURES & DISLOCATIONS
PATIENT RESOURCES

	SPORTS RELATED KNEE INJURIES BEFORE KNEE SURGERY KNEE SURGERY RECOVERY Insurance Carriers

Runners Knee (Chondromalacia)

Often called "runner's knee", chondromalacia patella is a common condition causing pain in the kneecap. The patella is covered with a layer of smooth cartilage, which normally glides across the knee when the joint is bent. The pain is caused by an irritation of the undersurface or patella of the kneecap as the kneecap rubs against one side of the knee joint, irritating the cartilage surface.

Symptoms of Runners Knee

Symptoms of chondromalacia include knee tenderness and pain that increases after sitting for a prolonged period of time, using stairs or getting out of a chair. There may also be a grating or grinding sensation when the knee is straightened. It may also cause pain during or after vigorous activities.

Cause of Runners Knee and Risk Factors

Chondromalacia usually affects young, athletic otherwise healthy individuals as a result of overuse, injury or too much stress on the knee. It affects women more often than men because women experience greater lateral pressures on the patella. People who have had a dislocation, fracture or other injury to the kneecap are more prone to chondromalacia than other individuals.

Diagnosing Runners Knee

A physician will examine the knee for signs of tenderness or mild swelling. The kneecap may also not be perfectly aligned with the thigh bone (femur). Applying pressure to the kneecap when it is extended may cause pain, which aids in diagnosis. X-rays usually do not show the damage caused by chondromalacia, although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may.

Chondromalacia can occur in two age groups. For people in their 40's and older, when the patella cartilage breaks down as part of normal wear and tear along with the rest of our bodies as we get older. It can also occur in teenagers. Rapid growth during these years can cause knock-knees, and the imbalance around the knee may eventually cause the articular cartilage to soften, and breakdown, due to the uneven pressure.

This surgery is usually performed arthroscopically, through a small incision made near the knee to insert instruments. The surgeon can remove damaged and heavily inflamed cartilage to reduce pain and swelling. If the kneecap is out of alignment and this is causing the wear and tear on the cartilage, the surgeon can realign the joint during the chondromalacia surgery. This surgery is performed on patients while they are under general anesthesia to minimize pain and discomfort.