Chondromalacia patellae

Alternative names:

patellae - femoral grinding

Definition:

Softening of the knee cartilage.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Chondromalacia patella occurs in adolescents and young adults, more frequently in women. The cause is thought to be related to overuse trauma and/or abnormal forces on the knee. Many affected adolescents have a mildly abnormal alignment of the patella (knee cap) and femur. Affected people of all ages have knee pain and a grating or grinding sensation when they extend their knee. The incidence is 2 out of 10,000 people.