Chondromalacia patella, also called patellofemoral pain syndrome, leads to a dull and aching pain in the front of your knee. The pain is sometimes accompanied by a grinding sensation as you extend your knee. Your knee will feel worse when you squat, kneel, go up or down stairs or sit for long periods with bent knees. This condition may be an overuse injury caused by repetitive stress on your knees such as from running. Poor alignment of your foot or knee bones or trauma to your knee also are causes of chondromalacia patella. Physical therapy often is part of the treatment prescribed for this problem.
Treatment Plan
Physical therapy is likely to be just one component of your treatment plan for chondromalacia patella. Initial treatment usually consists of rest, ice, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory pain relievers and avoiding activities like climbing stairs that aggravate pain. Your doctor also may recommend a knee brace or arch supports to improve your kneecap alignment. If such measures are not effective, your doctor may recommend surgery, followed by physical therapy.
Significance
The aim of physical therapy exercises for chondromalacia patella often is to strengthen the muscles that control your leg alignment and support your knees. These include your hamstrings, quadriceps and the muscles around your hips, especially your hip abductors. Strong hip abductor and quadriceps muscles are especially important for keeping your knee balanced during activity.
Types
Potential muscular causes for chondromalacia patella are divided into "weakness" and "inflexibility" categories. The most common muscular weakness problem is quadriceps muscles that lack strength. Common inflexibility issues involve your hamstring, hip and calf muscles and your iliotibial band, which runs from the hip to below your knee. The physical therapy exercises your doctor prescribes are based on the muscular causes for your condition.
Management
It is possible to manage physical therapy on your own, as long as you strictly adhere to your physician's instructions, notes the American Academy of Family Physicians. Expect to spend about 20 minutes daily performing your physical therapy exercises. You will need patience for the process. You may not see improvement in your symptoms for six weeks or longer.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Chondromalacia Patella
- MayoClinic.com: Chondromalacia Patella Causes
- MayoClinic.com: Chondromalacia Patella Treatments and Drugs
- MayoClinic.com: Chondromalacia Patella Prevention
- American Academy of Family Physicians: Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
- Rice University: Iliotibial Band Friction Syndrome
