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Medical Author:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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Medical Editor:

John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

John P. Cunha, DO, is a U.S. board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician. Dr. Cunha's educational background includes a BS in Biology from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, and a DO from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in Kansas City, MO. He completed residency training in Emergency Medicine at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey.

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In this Article

• Chondromalacia patella facts
• What is the chondromalacia patella (patellofemoral syndrome)?
• What causes chondromalacia patella?
• What are the symptoms and signs of chondromalacia patella?
• How is chondromalacia patella diagnosed?
• How is chondromalacia patella treated?
• What is the prognosis (outlook) with chondromalacia patella?
• Can chondromalacia patella be prevented?
• Patient Comments: Chondromalacia Patella - Treatment
• Patient Comments: Chondromalacia Patella - Symptoms
• Patient Comments: Chondromalacia Patella - Experience
• Find a local Orthopedic Surgeon in your town
• Patellofemoral Syndrome Index

Under optimal circumstances, the patient should have a rapid recovery and return at full functional level. Chondromalacia patella is not felt to be a precursor to degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis).

Chondromalacia patella can be prevented only in the sense that the symptoms can be prevented by avoiding any aggravating activities (running, jumping, etc.) or positions. Long-term prevention includes strengthening of the inner portion of the quadriceps muscle to help normalize the tracking of the patella.

REFERENCES:

Fauci, Anthony S., et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Professional, 2008.

Koopman, William, et al., eds. Clinical Primer of Rheumatology. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2003.

Ruddy, Shaun, et al., eds. Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Co., 2000.