Chondromalacia patellae

What you need to know:

This condition is more common in athletic younger women, particularly when their favourite sports involves a lot of jumping - basketball, netball, long jump, high jump and the highly maligned beach volleyball of the Sydney Olympics.

Very specific exercises are the best way to deal with it. Yes, exercises can be boring when you’re young and have a million more interesting things to do, but strengthening the muscle on the inside of the thigh which attaches to the knee - the vastus medialis - can cure the condition in around 80 per cent of cases.

Here’s what to do:

Lie flat on your back and turn the foot on the affected leg outwards as far as you can
Keeping the leg straight, lift it until your heel is 4 inches off the bed or wherever you’re lying
Hold it for a few seconds, then relax
Repeat 10 - 15 times several times a day, gradually increasing the number of lifts until you’re doing around 400 a day

You won’t see much change to begin with, but over a few months the condition should start to improve.

The most useful Herbs:

Birch
Black cohosh
Meadowsweet
Poplar
Willow
Devil’s claw
Ginger - extracts of the medicinal Chinese variety of this herb

The most useful Supplements:

Green-lipped mussel extract
Evening primrose oil
Glucosamine
Cod liver oil
Fish oils
Pycnogenol

You’ll also get invaluable advice from a sports physiotherapist or an osteopath with a special interest in sport.

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The information provided by WIS is for guidance only. Whilst it is based upon the expert advice of leading professionals, and extensive research, it is not a substitute for diagnosis by a qualified professional. Always consult your doctor, pharmacist or qualified practitioner before making any changes or additions to prescribed medication.