Chondromalacia patella can be initially treated using simple measures such as providing rest to the knee and avoiding physical activities. A surgery can be performed if the non-surgical treatments do not bring any relief. Recovery period or healing time for chondromalacia patella varies with different patients and is dependent on the kind of surgery done.
Other ways to treat the symptoms include:
M22. 4 - Chondromalacia patellae. ICD-10-CM.
Chondromalacia patella (knee pain) is the softening and breakdown of the tissue (cartilage) on the underside of the kneecap (patella). Pain results when the knee and the thigh bone (femur) rub together. Dull, aching pain and/or a feeling of grinding when the knee is flexed may occur.
M94. 261 - Chondromalacia, right knee. ICD-10-CM.
Grading System for Chondromalacia Patella Grade 1 is the least severe and indicates some softening of the cartilage. Grade 2 indicates softening along with abnormal surface characteristics, likely marking the beginning of tissue damage.
Is chondromalacia patella the same as osteoarthritis? Yes, chondromalacia patella can be the same as either degenerative or traumatic osteoarthritis. This is because it involves an irreversible breakdown of the cartilage surface.
Chondromalacia patellae is caused by an irritation of the underside of the kneecap. It may be the result of the simple wear-and-tear on the knee joint as we age. In younger people, it is more often due to an acute injury such as a fall or a long-term overuse injury related to sports.
A condition called patellofemoral (PF) chondrosis describes cartilage loss on the surface of the kneecap. 2 Another term for the condition is chondromalacia, and its severity is graded on a scale from one to four.
11 Unilateral primary osteoarthritis, right knee.
Often called "runner's knee", chondromalacia patella is a common condition causing pain in the kneecap. The patella is covered with a layer of smooth cartilage, which normally glides across the knee when the joint is bent.
Grade 4 – Grade 4 chondromalacia indicates that there is complete loss of cartilage with exposed subchondral bone. Grade 4 changes can be focal (involve a small area of cartilage), or it can be diffuse where it affects a large surface area.
Chondromalacia patella is one of the most common causes of chronic knee pain. Chondromalacia patella results from degeneration of cartilage due to poor alignment of the kneecap (patella) as it slides over the lower end of the thighbone (femur). This process is sometimes referred to as patellofemoral syndrome.
This condition represents a breakdown of the weight bearing (articular) cartilage of your knee. Cartilage cracks lead to deep fissures. The outer cartilage “skin” is lost and leads to progressive erosion of the deeper cartilage layers. This condition is pre-arthritic in most patients.