Chondromalacia Patella

Chondromalacia patella is a condition in which the cartilage on the undersurface of the knee cap becomes softened or damaged. Classically, it refers to pathologic findings at the time of surgery. It differs from patellofemoral pain syndrome in that [Page 282]there are pathologic changes to the undersurface cartilage of the patella. It is often called “runner's knee.” Chondromalacia patella is, generally, an overuse injury found in athletes with extrinsic anatomical abnormalities of the lower extremity. It can also be caused by an acute ...