Chondromalacia patellae
Chondromalacia patellae is inflammation of the cartilage lining the back of the kneecap (the patella). It is a disease mainly affecting active young adults, with pain both on movement and on prolonged sitting with the knees bent. 50 per cent have pain mounting stairs, and 50 per cent descending stairs. The knees may swell and if inflammation is severe bits of the patella surface may break off (see osteochondritis dessicans in the bone and joint disorders section). The cause is uncertain but some think it maybe due to misalignment of the patella, and that exercises to strengthen the muscle that pulls the patella towards the middle - the vastus medialis on the front of the thigh - can be beneficial. Arthroscopic surgery, where the knee is entered through a keyhole approach, may help, as may physiotherapy and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents.
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