Knee cartilage is a natural shock absorber. Overuse, injury or other factors could cause chondromalacia patella (knee cartilage softening). The most common symptom is knee pain. The pain is especially apparent when going up and down stairs, squatting and then standing up, or kneeling. Non-surgical treatment is the primary treatment method. An anti-inflammation drug, glucosamine indomethacin, can help the synthesis of cartilage glycosaminoglycan. It stops pain as well helps cartilage repairing. If non-surgical treatment fails or the patella is in a wrong position, surgery may be considered.
How is Chondromalacia patella treated in practice?