Knee Problems Archives

chondromalacia patellae

Hello, my name is Jackie Lang, and I am a 30 year old woman currently teaching English in Taiwan. I would like to make some enquiries about chondromalacia patellae, which I have recently been diagnosed with in my right knee. For approximately 6-8 weeks I have been experiencing some slight pain and discomfort in my right knee, especially when bending it too much, putting any weight on it (eg; crossing my left leg over my right for too long), kneeling on it or stepping down heavily onto it.

Since I am only a little overweight, and exercise only moderately, by walking everywhere, I assumed that maybe I had pulled a muscle and that it would heal given some time and rest.

I avoided making movements that wold aggravate the injury, but when the pain/discomfort continued I went to see a doctor, who said that it is being caused because the femur is rubbing against the patellae, and that this is also causing the clicking noise and movements which I feel sometimes whilst walking.

The streets here are very uneven, with large 'jumps' and unexpected steps and irregularities, and since I had walked everywhere in my hometown (Dunedin, NZ) I think that perhaps the unsuitable street conditions could create some pressure on the joints - the doctor aggreed that this could indeed be the case.

He recommends that I exercise the muscles in the leg every day, by doing some stretches - one is done by raising the leg and tightening the muscle and holding it, then dropping back, the other by placing your leg into an elevated position (eg, putting it on a table) and reaching down to hold the ankles with your hands. He tried to show me one other exercise I could do by standing and tightening the muscle, but I couldn't quite get it right and he couldn't explain fully, as English is his second language. He also recommended ice packs at least once a day for 15-20 minutes, and siad to come back in 3 weeks.

I would like to know more about this condition, how to treat it, in particular how to perform the exercises correctly and how to prevent it from reoccurring in the future. I would also just like to get a second opinion because of the language barrier, and any misunderstandings which may have occurred as a result.

Thanks for your help.

Jackie Lang

Follow Ups:

• Re: chondromalacia patellae (Archive in knees.) Walt Stoll 09:51:33 7/28/01 (0)

In Reply to: chondromalacia patellae posted by Jackie Lang on July 26, 2001 at 05:33:39:

Hi, Jackie.

Sounds like you have a good doc.

The only things I could add to what he has told you are: work on the bracing that always is a factor at your age; start taking 750 milligrams of glucosamine twice a day; start the essential oils in the homepage article and learn all you can about your doc's exercise program.

Weight bearing exercise is NOT good for this kind of problem so a swimming exercise program would be great.

You have MANY years to live with this joint that is wearing out SO, it would be wonderful for you to go to a textbook about this condition and become an expert.

Let us know how you do & what you learn.

Walt