
Conservative treatments for chondromalacia include activity modification, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Celebrex, Meloxicam, etc.), corticosteroid injections, physical therapy, and maintaining appropriate weight. Additionally, viscosupplement injections (hyaluronic acid) can be utilized.
What are the treatment options for chondromalacia?
Jul 20, 2012 · Mosaicplasty. Mosaicplasty involves the use of multiple small autograft plugs to replace an articular defect. This technique was first described in the knee, but has been modified for use in the hip. Multiple authors have detailed the technique with a variety of options for the origin of the osteochondral graft.
What are the treatment options for chondral lesions in the hip?
Gentle exercises : Chondromalacia is a softening of the cartilage between the patella (knee cap) and underlying joint. The best early treatment is to gently strengthen ... The best early treatment is to gently strengthen ...
What are the treatment options for young patients with hip cartilage defects?
Cartilaginous lesions may range between a simple decrease of articular cartilage height and complete ulceration either on the cephalic or acetabular sides. These lesions may be present at a time when the radiograph is still normal, especially in cases of hip dysplasia. It is concluded that the articular cartilage of the hip may chondromalacic ...
What is hip chondromalacia?
Fortunately, patients with grade 4, or more severe, articular cartilage injuries of the acetabulum have better outcomes than the typical patient with a grade 4 lesion in the weight-bearing surface of the knee. Similar to an osteotomy in the knee, an osteoplasty of the hip takes the weight off the cartilage defect. Osteoplasty involves removal of the ‘impinging bone’, and so the stress that …

How is chondromalacia of the hip treated?
In less severe cases, surgery for chondral defects of the hip can be avoided and patients are able to manage their pain with non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory medications, ice, and exercises as prescribed by a physical therapist. Injections into the hip can also help alleviate symptoms.
What is the treatment for Grade 4 chondromalacia?
What is high grade chondromalacia of hip?
This cartilage acts as a shock absorber and allows smooth motion between the ends of bones when the hips move. Chondromalacia occurs when the articular cartilage softens and breaks down.
What is a grade 4 chondral defect?
What does Grade 4 chondromalacia feel like?
What is chondromalacia of the hip joint?
Is chondromalacia osteoarthritis?
How do u know if u need a hip replacement?
- You experience pain when you walk. ...
- You are experiencing a limited range of motion in your hip joint. ...
- You are limping or experiencing limpness in one leg. ...
- You have swelling or tenderness in your hip. ...
- You have a feeling of instability in your hip joint.
How do you tear a labrum in your hip?
Does chondral defect need surgery?
What does high grade cartilage loss mean?
How do you treat full thickness of cartilage loss?
How to prevent chondromalacia?
You may be able to reduce your risk of chondromalacia by preventing knee injuries and overuse of your knee joints. To do this: 1 Warm up and stretch before you participate in athletic activities. 2 Do exercises to strengthen the leg muscles around your knee, especially the muscles in your thigh called the quadriceps. 3 Increase the intensity of your training program gradually. Never push yourself too hard, too fast. 4 Wear comfortable, supportive shoes that fit your feet and your sport. Problems with foot alignment can increase your risk of knee injuries. Ask your doctor about shoe inserts that can correct alignment problems. 5 If you ski or if you play football or soccer, ask your doctor or trainer about specific equipment that can help to reduce your risk of knee injuries. 6 If you often kneel on hard surfaces when you work, wear protective knee pads.
What causes chondromalacia in the knee?
In the knee, chondromalacia is usually related to injury, overuse of the knee, and poorly aligned muscles and bones around the knee joint. These causes include: Trauma, especially a fracture (break) or dislocation of the kneecap. An imbalance of the muscles around the knee (Some muscles are weaker than others.)
Where is the pain in the knee?
The ends of the bones can rub together, causing pain. Chondromalacia can affect any joint, but the most common location is the underside of the kneecap. It usually begins as a small area of softened cartilage behind the kneecap (patella) that can be painful.
Can cartilage wear away?
In severe cases, the damaged cartilage can wear away completely, down to the undersurface of the kneecap. If this happens, the exposed kneecap's bony surface can grind painfully against other knee bones. Also, bits of cartilage can float inside the joint, further irritating the cells that line the joint.
What is the term for overuse of the knee?
Overuse (repeated bending or twisting ) of the knee joint, especially during sports. Chondromalacia of the knee affects young adults more than any other age group. It is especially common in runners, joggers, skiers, soccer players, cyclists and other athletes who repeatedly stress their knees.
How to strengthen the muscles around your knee?
Do exercises to strengthen the leg muscles around your knee, especially the muscles in your thigh called the quadriceps. Increase the intensity of your training program gradually. Never push yourself too hard, too fast. Wear comfortable, supportive shoes that fit your feet and your sport.
What to do for a swollen knee?
Applying ice after exercise and as needed for pain or swelling. Taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, such as ibuprofen ( Advil, Motrin and others), to relieve your knee pain and ease any swelling. Taking other pain relievers, such as acetaminophen ( Tylenol ), which may also relieve pain.
I have chondromalacia patella with a hip labral tear on one leg. i have been in a flare for a month (both issues). does this warrant a doctor's visit?
Yes: A rheumatologist or an Orthopedic physician should evaluate you to further determine your pain symptoms! To discuss with you further eval with MRIs an... Read More
Good day. i had an operation in 2010 on my knee post knee dislocation for patella ligament injury but it was normal intraoperation. told i had chondromalacia patella. currently experiencing pain on my knee and hip. hip is bad. ?
Hip and patella: you should have been advised to do rehab for your knee - the hip pain is possibly compensatory from overload and abnormal knee function. i would advis... Read More
What are chondromalacia and patellafemoral syndrome?
Knee Pain: Chondromalacia can happen in any joint with articular cartilage. Patellofemoral pain syndrome is chondromalacia of the knee where the patella is maltr... Read More
What is chondromalacia patellae?
Cartilage damage: Chondromalacia patella originally referred to "softening" of the articular cartilage on the back of the kneecap; today the term describes injury to th... Read More
What are the signs chondromalacia patellae?
Dull ,aching pain: Patellofemoral pain syndrome usually causes a dull, aching pain in the front of your knee. This pain can be aggravated when you, walk up or down stair... Read More
What is chondromalacia patella ?
Fibrillation of the : Underside of the kneecap. Basically osteoarthritis of the patella. Many causes.
How to treat chondromalacia patellae?
Physical Therapy: The most common cause of chronic knee pain is a condition called patellofemoral pain syndrome or chondromalacia patellae. This condition causes pain i... Read More
What is grade 4 cartilage?
If this progresses and becomes a grade 3 lesion, you can see the cartilage start to separate from the bone. A grade 4 lesion is where there is not only delamination , but the cartilage is starting to peel away from the bone, which is similar to that seen in a severe cartilage injury of the knee.
What is grade 4 knee?
A grade 4 lesion is where there is not only delamination, but the cartilage is starting to peel away from the bone, which is similar to that seen in a severe cartilage injury of the knee. If the articular cartilage is intact and still attached to the labrum, typically nothing further is done.
What is acetabular injury?
Acetabular injuries tend to develop in a more subtle fashion, and are almost always associated with hip impingement resulting from a long-standing (chronic) conflict or mismatch between the ball and socket, as described above.
What is the test for hip flexing?
This is called the ‘impingement test’ – if it causes pain, it is quite likely that the hip cartilage and/or labrum have been injured.
What is FAI in hip arthroscopy?
This so-called FAI, or hip impingement, is an extremely common problem. It is by far the most commonly encountered problem during hip arthroscopy. The earlier the diagnosis is made, the higher the chance the patient can be successfully treated with hip arthros copy.
Is there a non surgical treatment for articular cartilage?
Non-surgical treatments should also be considered in patients who are suffering from articular cartilage-related pain, whether it is due to osteoarthritis or more specific (focal) areas of cartilage damage. Similar to treatments of the knee, various injectable solutions may prove soothing to the painful hip joint.
What is hip osteoplasty?
Similar to an osteotomy in the knee, an osteoplasty of the hip takes the weight off the cartilage defect. Osteoplasty involves removal of the ‘impinging bone’, and so the stress that created the articular cartilage defect is eliminated.
What causes cartilage to be damaged?
Many factors can contribute to cartilage damage, including age-related degeneration of cartilage, excessive weight, repetitive or acute injuries. During normal activities of life, the cartilage is exposed to extreme pressure. This pressure is increased significantly during activities such as running and jumping.
What does grade 2 mean?
Grade 2 – Grade 2 indicates surface fibrillation or the cartilage having the appearance of shag carpet. These early changes indicate damage to the collagen that forms the structure of cartilage. The collagen fibers that are normally tightly wound, and as the cartilage is damaged, the fibers become unwound.

What Is Chondromalacia?
Symptoms
Diagnosis
- Your doctor will want to know whether you have ever: 1. Fractured your kneecap or any other bone in the knee joint 2. Sprained your knee or injured your knee's meniscus (the disk-shaped, shock-absorbing cartilage inside the knee) 3. Had knee surgery 4. Had bleeding or an infection inside your knee joint 5. Been diagnosed with arthritis in your knee 6. Your doctor also will ask about th…
Expected Duration
- Because articular cartilage heals poorly, chondromalacia usually is a permanent problem. However, nonsurgical treatments often can relieve knee pain within a few months. If nonsurgical treatment fails, your doctor can perform surgery to remove the area of damaged cartilage. Once this is done, most patients find that their symptoms improve.
Prevention
- You may be able to reduce your risk of chondromalacia by preventing knee injuries and overuse of your knee joints. To do this: 1. Warm up and stretch before you participate in athletic activities. 2. Do exercises to strengthen the leg muscles around your knee, especially the muscles in your thigh called the quadriceps. 3. Increase the intensity of your training program gradually. Never push y…
Treatment
- Your doctor probably will recommend nonsurgical treatments first. These include: 1. Applying ice after exercise and as needed for pain or swelling 2. Taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrinand others), to relieve your knee pain and ease any swelling 3. Taking other pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tyleno...
When to Call A Professional
- Contact your doctor if you have knee pain that doesn't go away or if your knee catches, gives way, or looks swollen and puffy.
Prognosis
- Simple nonsurgical treatments can relieve knee pain in most people with chondromalacia. If nonsurgical treatment fails and surgery is required, studies show that most patients are satisfied with the results. Once the damaged cartilage is removed surgically, knee pain usually decreases and the knee functions better.
Further Information
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