Chondromalacia patella

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Chondromalacia of the patella

Patellofemoral syndrome; Knee pain - chondromalacia

• A grating or grinding sensation when the knee is flexed (moved so that the ankle is brought closer to the back of the thigh)
• Knee pain in the front of the knee that occurs when you get up after sitting for a long period of time
• Knee pain that worsens when you use stairs or get out of a chair
• Knee tenderness

The doctor will perform a physical examination. The knee may be tender and mildly swollen, and the kneecap may not be perfectly lined up with the femur (thigh bone).

When you flex your knee, you may feel a grinding sensation below the kneecap. Pressing the kneecap when the knee is straightening out may be painful.

X-rays are usually normal, although a special x-ray view of the kneecap may show signs of arthritis or tilting.

Review Date: 06/13/2010
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; and C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Assistant Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).

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