What is chondromalacia patellae? Patellar chondromalacia, also known as chondromalacia patellae and chondromalacia patellae, is one of the common causes of anterior knee pain. It is a degenerative disease caused by damage to the cartilage surface of the patella and the articular cartilage of the patellar surface of the femur. It is characterized by knee discomfort, pain behind the patella, vague pain in the medial side of the knee, increased pain when moving, followed by a feeling of friction between the patellae and pressure pain in the patella. What are the causes of chondromalacia patellae? Chondromalacia patella is an osteoarthrosis of the patellofemoral joint caused by chronic injury to the cartilage surface of the patella, resulting in swelling, cracking, breaking, erosion and loss of cartilage, and finally the same pathological changes occur in the cartilage of the femoral condyle opposite to it. 1, congenital abnormal development of the patella. 2, long-term wear and tear of the knee joint, is the common cause of this disease. 3, various causes of synovial fluid composition abnormalities. The main symptoms: 1, young athletes are common, the initial pain under the patella, slightly relieved by activity, and aggravated after prolonged exercise, gradually disappeared after rest. 2, pressure pain at the edge of the patella, squeezing or pushing the patella in the extended knee position can have a sense of friction, accompanied by pain. When patellofemoral joint osteoarthrosis is formed at a later stage, synovitis and joint effusion may occur. If the disease is of long duration, quadriceps atrophy may occur. The diagnosis of chondromalacia patella is mainly based on post-patellar pain, which is caused by the patellar compression and grinding test and the single-leg squat test. X-ray examination: frontal, lateral and tangential X-ray of the knee joint, no abnormalities in the early stage, but in the late stage, the gap between the patella and the femoral condyle may be narrowed due to extensive cartilage wear, and there may be osteophytes at the edge of the patella and femoral condyle. Treatment: Non-surgical treatment: braking, physiotherapy, anti-inflammatory, patellar chondromalacia patch, joint cavity closure, etc. If strict non-surgical treatment is ineffective or there is congenital deformity, surgical treatment is feasible. Why does chondromalacia patella occur? 1, congenital patellar development disorder, abnormal position and femoral condyles large and small abnormalities, acquired knee joint internal and external rotation deformity, etc., can make the patella unstable, in the sliding process patellofemoral joint surface compressive stress concentrated in a certain point, become the basis of chronic injury. 2, long-term, forceful, rapid flexion and extension of the knee joint, increasing the wear and tear of the patellofemoral joint, such as the training of cyclists and skaters, is a common cause of this disease. 3, patellar cartilage nutrition mainly from the synovial fluid, various causes of synovial fluid composition abnormalities, can make the patellar cartilage malnutrition, susceptible to minor injuries and degenerative changes Daily attention: 1, before the movement of the joint before the movement of the joint before the movement of the joint can make all parts of the patellar joint surface are stimulated, synovial fluid nutrients can evenly penetrate into the cartilage tissue to enhance the lubrication of the joint. 2, avoid strenuous exercise Avoid continuous squatting and strenuous exercise, such as mountain climbing, stair climbing and other knee flexion position force exercise. Avoid sudden changes in the intensity of exercise, and activities to enhance strength and endurance should be gradual and gradually increase in volume. 3. Maintain appropriate weight The appropriate weight can reduce the gravitational force on the knee joint, while obesity will increase the risk of degenerative diseases of the knee joint, forming a vicious circle, the greater the weight, the heavier the pain; conversely, the lighter the weight, the lighter the pain. 4, supplement cartilage nutrition Eat more food containing vitamins and proteins, such as fruits, vegetables, meat, seafood, etc. 5, pay attention to warmth and cold weather season, to keep the joints warm, to prevent wind and cold invasion. 6, timely treatment When there is discomfort or non-localized pain in the knee joint, consider the possibility of early chondromalacia patellae, rest and treatment in time to prevent aggravation of joint cartilage degeneration. Chondromalacia patella prevention: Avoid long-term, forceful, rapid flexion and extension movements. Prevention of chondromalacia patella is mainly based on reducing the continuous pressure on the patellofemoral joint and improving the nutrition of the cartilage. 1, active and full movement of the joint. To be carried out under non-weight-bearing conditions. Such as lying in bed actively extend and flex the knee joint. Insist on 10 minutes once a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Adequate movement of the joint can make all parts of the patellofemoral joint surface are stimulated, synovial fluid nutrients can evenly penetrate into the cartilage tissue, and can enhance the lubrication of the joint. 2, to prevent continuous pressure on the patellofemoral articular surface. The patella is under greater pressure in the flexed knee position, which can easily damage the joint surface. To avoid continuous squatting pressure on the patellofemoral articular surface. 3, cast fixation or lower limb traction treatment. When the quadriceps muscle is contracted, it can drive the patella up and down, which is conducive to the nutritional penetration of the cartilage and reduces the continuous pressure on the patellofemoral articular surface. 4, when the knee joint discomfort or non-localized pain. To consider the possibility of early patellar chondromalacia, timely rest and timely treatment to prevent aggravation of articular cartilage degeneration.