Chondromalacia - Rare Disorders Message Board

SquidsWife · 06-03-2001, 10:41 PM

Anyone have this? or heard of it?
I was recently diagnosed with this, after 6 months of horrible, unbearable knee pain.

My doctor says it's pretty common, but I can't seem to find another soul, online or not, that has it or even knows anyone who has it.

He gave me a pamphlet of some simple, basic stretches/exercizes to do daily that are supposed to help... I was really hoping for something more than that. The pain is awful. I am a little overweight, but not obese... however, I can hardly get myself up a step (just one!) - and if there is nothing nearby for me to hold onto, forget it. I can't make it up.

I am only 26 years old, yet I feel older than my grandmother (who gets around better than I do!)
I'd appreciate any feedback on this...

Thanks,
Heather

leeanne · 09-15-2001, 11:31 PM

i have this in my knees also. It bothered me badly when I played basketball. They really don't bother me very badly anymore. If I do something active and then don't do anything for awhile afterwards than I have bad pains. I really don't have it very bad..not enough that it affects me every day. When it does bother me I just take aspirin and put ice packs on the knees. Good luck!

siouxzee · 09-16-2001, 10:58 PM

You shouldn't have to be in pain. Ask this doctor to do something to relieve your pain and if he doesn't, go to another doctor or pain specialist.

Fortunately, most of the pain syndromes that result in pain around the front of the patella and the front of the knee usually resolve with non-surgical treatment. This treatment is directed at re-establishing the normal biomechanical relationship between the patella and the femur. Usually Physical Therapy is necessary and a home exercise program is necessary.

If these treatments fail to improve the condition, the physician may perform arthroscopic surgery to smooth the surface of the articular cartilage and wash out cartilage fragments that cause the joint to catch during bending and straightening. In more severe cases of chondromalacia, surgery may be necessary to correct the angle of the kneecap and relieve friction involving the cartilage or to reposition parts that are out of alignment.

My advise would be to see a good sports medicine doctor or orthopedic surgeon.