Chondromalacia Archives

Chrondomalacia

I am a 24 year old concrete finisher. On October 7th, 2003 I slipped down a hill on a job site. I went to the doctor and after about 4 months of physical therapy I was given an M.R.I and it revealed that I had a torn meniscus. The doctor operated on it and after surgery he said that there was in-fact no torn meniscus and that the M.R.I was wrong. He then went on to tell me that I had "chrondomalacia" and that theres nothing I can do about it. I didn't have any problems before my accident at work and now all of a sudden I can't make it up my stairs without my kneecap feeling as if it is going to shoot out the front of my leg. Does this sound right to you? If I do have chrondomalacia, what are the long term effects of it? My doctor says I might not be able to return to work as a concrete finisher. This can not be an option. I have built my life on this carreer. So basically my question to you is, What are the long term effects of this? Can it be fixed(by any surgery or whatever)?, Is there anything I can do for the pain? ANY, information you have concerning this would be very much appreciated. Please do not hesitate to e-mail me with regards to this matter.

• Majeztick.COm

Follow Ups:

• Re: Chrondomalacia (Archive in knee.) Walt Stoll 05:47:45 5/28/03 (0)
• Re: Chrondomalacia Happygal 10:43:24 5/27/03 (0)

In Reply to: Chrondomalacia posted by Gary Fraley on May 27, 2003 at 02:13:32:

Hi Gary,

I have chondromalacia too. Walt told me to take glucosamine to help restore the cartilege on the back of the kneecap which I think is a good idea. He also told me tosee a sports medicine specialist about it, who gave me some exercises to do to strengthen a certain muscle (the vastus medialis) in order to make the patella track correctly. I've been doing the exercises and didn't really feel they were helpful, and then eureka! I figured out that part of the problem was some tight muscles on the other side of the knee (vastus lateralus and rectus femoris). So I have been doing VERY deep massage on those muscles to loosen them up, and my knee feels better.

I hope this helps.

Best wishes,
Happygal (Certified Massage Therapist)

In Reply to: Chrondomalacia posted by Gary Fraley on May 27, 2003 at 02:13:32:

Hi, Gary.

This is a degenerative condition of the back side of the patella and this is very young for you to have it. It may even have been aggravated by your unnecessary surgery (No blame to anyone involved since MRIs are not infallible.)

Listen to Happygal. Add at least 2000 milligrams of omega 3s twice a day to the glucosamine. Start Alexander Techique practice every day (archives).

What, EXACTLY, do you do every day with this career? If there is any significant carrying, you will have no option but to find another dream for your life. Even if you can heal it with the above it will likely recurr if you have to do carrying.

In the meantime avoid going up and down stairs as much as possible.

Let us know how you do.

Walt