Chondromalacia Patella
Chondromalacia is the most common cause of chronic knee pain. It develops due to the softening of the cartilage beneath the knee cap as a result of overuse, injury, or other factors.
The cartilage is a natural shock absorber which can erode as the knee cap rubs against the femur instead of gliding smoothly over the knee.
Symptoms:
- Dull ache in the front of the knee
- Increased pain when walking up or down stairs
- Pain when kneeling or squatting
- Pain after sitting for long periods of time
- Grating or Grinding sensation when extending the knee
- Knee stiffness
Common causes:
- Muscle weakness or imbalances in quadriceps, hamstrings, or hip muscles
- Overuse
- Direct impact injury
- Unusual alignment of the kneecap
- Arthritis of the knee join
- Gait deviations
- Flat feet
Risk Factor:
- Trauma to the kneecap, such as dislocation or fracture
- Mal-alignment of the lower extremity
- Wearing worn-out or ill-fitted shoes
- Gender - occurs more commonly in females
- Weakness of hip muscles, especially the muscles on the lateral aspect of the hip