People who have knee pain or symptoms of chondromalacia should see their doctor. Even a slight misalignment can gradually wear down the cartilage and cause pain over time.Ī knee injury: An accident, fall, or blow to the knee can throw the kneecap out of proper alignment, damage the cartilage, or both. If they are not strong enough, the knee may slip out of alignment. Weak muscles in the thighs or calves: The leg muscles help support the knee and keep it in place. Some people are born with a misalignment of the knee that can cause this issue. It occurs in people of any age and is common in young, active athletes.Ī kneecap that is out of alignment: If the kneecap is not in the proper position, the cartilage will not be able to protect it from rubbing. Chondromalacia is often called “runner’s knee” for this reason. However, chondromalacia can result from other factors, not only an injury or accident.Įxcessive use of the knees: This can result from running, jumping, or any activity that requires heavy use of the knees. Many people are surprised to find that their cartilage is damaged because they have never directly injured their knees. Share on Pinterest The thigh bone, shin, and kneecap are the three main bones in the knee.Ĭommon causes include injury, overuse, and misalignment. Some people may also notice a cracking or grinding sensation after exercise or heavy use of the legs and knees. These activities all involve deep bending of the knee.Įven a slight swelling of the cartilage can be enough to trigger pain during these activities. Squatting, kneeling, or sitting with the knees bent greater than 90 degrees may also cause pain with this condition. The pain may go away when walking, however, because the knees do not have to move as much. If the cartilage is worn down, or the kneecap isn’t sliding in its groove, a person may feel pain as the knees bend and straighten, and the bones rub on rough cartilage. This deeper movement means that the kneecap is forced to slide up and down over the femur more than usual. This is why the knees often hurt when a person is going up or down the stairs.

straightening the knee while it is bearing weight.

Share on Pinterest A description of symptoms and habits and a physical examination can help make clear the cause of chondromalacia.Ĭhondromalacia may lead to a dull pain when bending the knee or when the knee straightens right after bending it.Īctivities that might cause pain include:

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