Chondromalacia patella

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Definition

You walk up stairs; your knees hurt. You kneel in the garden; your knees hurt. Even after just sitting for a long time, your knees hurt. What's going on? Your knees may be telling you that it's time to take a break.

The cartilage under your kneecap (patella) is a natural shock absorber. But it doesn't come with a lifetime guarantee. Overuse, injury or other factors may lead to a condition known as chondromalacia patella — a general term indicating damage to the cartilage under your kneecap. A more accurate term for chondromalacia patella is patellofemoral pain.

Simple treatments — such as rest and ice — often help, but sometimes you may need physical therapy or even surgery to ease patellofemoral pain.

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Symptoms