What causes Chondromalacia patellae?
Chondromalacia patellae occurs in two distinct age-groups: • It can happen in the older age-group (in the 40s and beyond) when the articular cartilage breaks down as part of the wear-and-tear process that occurs with the rest of the body. The patella cartilage is one of the earliest places where cartilage breakdown occurs, and is slowly progressive, leading to degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis) in the knee joint. • It can occur frequently in teenagers (especially girls) when the articular cartilage “softens” in response to excessive and uneven pressure on the cartilage, due to structural changes in the legs with rapid growth, and muscle imbalance around the knee. During periods of rapid growth, especially in girls, any knee valgus (knock-knees) is accentuated, thereby increasing the Q-angle, the angle formed by the thigh and the patellar tendon (see diagram). Any flexion of the knee increases the tendency of the patella to dislocate. Undue pressure is placed on the lateral (outer)
