The Injury Hub
Chondromalacia Patella: Info, Symptoms & Treatment.
Our Chartered Physiotherapists across Ireland are experts in the causes, symptoms and treatment of Chondromalacia Patella.
The Injury Hub: Chondromalacia Patella
What is Chondromalacia Patella?
Chondromalacia Patella is a general term used to describe damage to the cartilage lining the knee cap. It can also be referred to as Patella Femoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS). It is one of the most common causes of anterior knee pain and results from degeneration of cartilage due to poor alignment.
Physiotherapists are experts in assessing and treating the cause of your knee pain effectively.
How We Can Help.
Symptoms, Treatment & How We Can Help Your Recovery.
Learn about common Chondromalacia Patella injury symptoms, effective treatments, and how our expert team supports your recovery journey every step of the way.
Symptoms Of Chondromalacia Patella
The most common symptom is pain or discomfort around the knee. The dull, aching pain is usually located at the front of the knee, around or behind the kneecap.
Patients with Chondromalacia Patella often have altered patella tracking toward the outer side of the thigh bone (femur). Therefore, pain is often felt most with running, jumping, going up and down stairs and especially when getting up from a seat after a prolonged period of time. Unfortunately due to the increase in angle between the hip and knee in women they are more likely to be affected.
Other symptoms include a grating noise when moving the knee and (rarely) some fluid swelling.
Chondromalacia Patella Treatment
It is important that the correct diagnosis is made for all knee injuries and that treatment commences as quickly as possible. Chondromalacia Patella has been associated with repetitive stress, overuse and poor muscular control around the core, hip and knee.
Treatment techniques to address these issues can include specific strengthening exercises to correct muscle imbalance, soft tissue massage, dry needling, joint mobilisation, and in some cases the fitting of custom made orthotics (biomechanics) to correct excessive foot pronation (which has a direct link to patellofemoral pain).
Our Expertise
Our Physiotherapists have extensive clinical experience in the treatment of a range of knee conditions. Once your injury or condition has been assessed and diagnosed, our highly skilled Physiotherapists will outline a personalised treatment plan for you.
Treatment may include strengthening exercises and massage as well as pain relief treatment. If necessary our Physiotherapists can consult with our Podiatrists to determine if the use of an orthotic would be appropriate.
All of our Physiotherapists are fully Chartered and insured, so you can be sure you’re in good hands.
Our patient’s health journeys
How Much Does It Cost?
Please refer to our individual clinic location pages for pricing information.
What Are Your Clinic Hours?
Monday – Friday: 8am to 8pm
Saturday: 9am to 5pm
Sunday: Closed
*Please note, opening times can vary between clinics
Where Is This Service Available?
This service is available in any of our nationwide clinics.
Am I Covered By Health Insurance?
We work with all major insurers – Vhi, Laya and Irish Life. We recommend you check your own policy for its terms and conditions to see what cover you have.
How Do I Contact You?
Our Patient Services team is available to help you Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm, and Saturdays from 8:00am to 4:00pm.
Call Us: 01 611 1740
Spectrum Physio
You’re In Good Hands.
We’ve treated over 250,000 patients across our nationwide clinics.
