| Little kids often come running to their parents crying | | | | prone to excessive and uneven pressure brought |
| over some bruises om their knees. But as these | | | | upon by the physiological changes that comes with |
| kids grow up, they are exposed to running the risk | | | | the growth spurts of puberty. Adults over 40 may |
| of getting more serious injuries, brought about by | | | | develop this condition as part of the wear-and-tear |
| their chosen lifestyles. | | | | process, possibly resulting in arthritis of the kneecap |
| Knee-related injuries and medical conditions are | | | | or osteoarthrities of the knee joint. chondromalacia |
| among the common reasons many people visit their | | | | may also be caused by accidents and trauma, or |
| doctors nowadays. Some people may consider knee | | | | abnormal pressures on the knee-joint, as experienced |
| pain as a minor problem, but it can lead to serious | | | | by athletes. |
| discomfort and acute disability, depending on the | | | | Pain and swelling caused by chondromalacia of the |
| severity of the damage. Several knee injuries | | | | patella are felt in the front or inside of the knee. |
| happen due to chronic overuse, alignment problems, | | | | The kneepain becomes worse when seated for long |
| active sports, failure to warm up and stretch before | | | | periods, such as while getting up from a chair and |
| exercise, or even daily household chores that would | | | | when climbing stairs. A grating or grinding sensation |
| require extra physical effort. Other knee-related | | | | may be noticed everytime the knee is extended or |
| problems can also result from trauma, such as a car | | | | straightened. |
| accident, a fall or a direct blow to your knee, as well | | | | Most of the time, conservative treatments for |
| as due to medical conditions such as arthritis, gout or | | | | chondromalacia are exercise programs designed to |
| chondromalacia. | | | | strengthen the muscles around the knee and to bring |
| Much has been said about arthritis and gout. But | | | | back the normal alignment of the knee cap. These |
| what about chondromalacia? Is this a new type of | | | | exercises must be approved by a physical therapist |
| malady? What causes it and who gets affected by | | | | to selectively build the thigh muscles (the quads) and |
| it? Chondromalacia is a knee-joint condition that | | | | realign the knee cap. |
| needs serious attention and requires proper | | | | A great number of patients usually improve with |
| treatment. | | | | conservative treatment alone and without much |
| Chondromalacia of the patella, also called | | | | further need for other therapy. Only a small number |
| patellofemoral pain, is a term that refers to pain | | | | of cases where kneepain persists or worsens would |
| arising between the patella (kneecap) and the | | | | knee joint surgery be required. While it may not be |
| underlying thighbone (femur). The softening of the | | | | possible to avoid chondromalacia, certain measures |
| cartilage beneath the kneecap results in small areas | | | | can be taken to reduce the risk of trauma and |
| of breakdown and pain around the knee. Instead of | | | | injuries, as well as abnormal stress on the knee. |
| gliding smoothly over the knee, the patella rubs | | | | Rehabilitation programs focusing on flexibilty and |
| against the thighbone everytime the knee moves. | | | | strength training of the muscles that control your |
| These changes vary from mild to total erosion of the | | | | kneecaps can greatly help in the prevention of its |
| cartilage. | | | | development in many cases. Non-steroidal anti |
| This condition is usually prevalent among young | | | | inflammatory drugs and other arthritis pain relief |
| women, especially those who have a slight | | | | medications may be prescribed to alleviate suffering |
| misalignment of the kneecap. Teenage girls are | | | | from pain and inflammation. |
| usually at high risk because the knee cartilage is | | | | |