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Medical Library Knee

Choose the body area

Massage therapy session in an office setting with a woman relaxed in a chair, facilitated by a professional.

Neck

Smiling male therapist assists elderly patient in modern physical therapy environment with equipment and natural light.

Shoulder

Female physical therapist assisting a young patient on a treatment table in a Marathon Physical Therapy room.

Back

Patient receiving laser therapy at Marathon Physical Therapy for pain management.

Elbow

Elderly woman exercising with a pink dumbbell, guided by a young trainer at Marathon Physical Therapy facility.

Wrist

Trainer assisting client on treatment table at Marathon Physical Therapy, with exercise equipment in background.

Hip

Therapist using a laser therapy device on a patient's leg at Marathon Physical Therapy for pain relief and rehabilitation.

Knee

Physical therapist with elderly male patient on treatment table at Marathon Physical Therapy with anatomy posters.

Leg

Physical therapy session at Marathon Physical Therapy, focusing on shoulder rehabilitation exercises for injury recovery.

Ankle

OVERVIEW

Patello-femoral Pain (Commonly Called Chondromalacia Patella)

Human knee joint anatomy diagram showing patella, femur, tibia, and trochlear groove for physical therapy education.

Chondromalacia, which refers to softening the patellar cartilage is a common misdiagnosis. Only surgery can detect softening of the cartilage. Patello-femoral Pain is the correct diagnosis for pain or swelling that originates under the kneecap.

The treatment options include rest, ice and compression. It is important to control swelling. Bracing, anti-inflammatory medication, and physical therapy can all be helpful. It is important to strengthen the quadriceps gradually. Sometimes, orthoses for the feet may be necessary. Rarely is surgery required to realign the kneecap. This involves releasing the tight structures around the outside and reefing the inner structures.

 

TREATMENT

Possible Treatments

GOALS

Possible Treatment Goals

  • Improve Balance
  • Decrease Risk of Reoccurrence
  • Improve Fitness
  • Improve Function
  • Optimize Joint Alignment
  • Improve Muscle Strength and Power
  • Increase Oxygen to Tissues
  • Improve Proprioception
  • Improve Range of Motion
  • Self-care of Symptoms
  • Improve Tolerance for Prolonged Activities
RESOURCES

Additional Resources

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