Chondromalacia patella

So,Yes.I am age 16 almost.My birthdate is 10/25/94.For the past few years i have felt major pain in my knees and i went to the doctors many dang times and they told me it was growing pain or something that would go away.I finally went to a doctor that listened and he sent me to get x-rays of both knees.

I the next week go back and he looks at them and tells me my cartlidge in both my knee's is soft.I have been woundering what this could mean,So i was trying to remember everything he said.

So i googled it all and came to the "Chondromalacia patella"

Chondromalacia patella is a common cause of kneecap pain or anterior knee pain. Often called "Runner's Knee," this condition often affects young, otherwise healthy athletes. Chondromalacia is due to an irritation of the undersurface of the kneecap. The undersurface of the kneecap, or patella, is covered with a layer of smooth cartilage. This cartilage normally glides effortlessly across the knee during bending of the joint. However, in some individuals, the kneecap tends to rub against one side of the knee joint, and the cartilage surface become irritated, and knee pain is the result.



What happens to the cartilage with chondromalacia?
Chondromalacia is due to changes of the deepest layers of cartilage, causing blistering of the surface cartilage. The pattern of cartilage damage seen with chondromalacia is distinct from the degeneration seen in arthritis, and the damage from chondromalacia is thought to be capable of repair, unlike that seen with arthritis.



Who gets chondromalacia?
Chondromalacia is interesting in that it often strikes young, otherwise healthy, athletic individuals. Women are more commonly affected with chondromalacia. Exactly why this is the case is unknown, but it is thought to have to do with anatomical differences between men and women, in which women experience increased lateral forces on the patella.



What is the treatment for chondromalacia?
The treatment of chondromalacia remains controversial, but most individuals can undergo effective treatment by resting the knee and adhering to a proper physical therapy program. Allowing the inflammation of chondromalacia to settle is the first step of treatment. Avoiding painful activities that irritate the knee for several weeks, followed by a gradual return to activity is important. In this time, cross-training activities, such as swimming, can allow an athlete to maintain their fitness while resting the knee. The next step in treatment is a physical therapy program that should emphasize strengthening and flexibility of the quadriceps and hamstring muscle groups. Use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication is also helpful to minimize the pain associated with chondromalacia. Treatment with surgery is declining in popularity for two reasons: good outcomes without surgery, and the small number of patients who actually benefit from surgical treatment.



Is surgery necessary for chondromalacia?
Sometimes chondromalacia is not cured by conservative therapy, and it may be determined that surgery is needed for definitive treatment. By looking into the knee with an arthroscope, the surgeon can assess the damage done to the cartilage. He or she can also assess the mechanics of the joint to ascertain if there is an anatomic misalignment that could be corrected.
One common misalignment is due to abnormal tracking of the patella (tracking is simply the movement of the patella as the knee moves) caused by tight tissue on the outside (lateral) of the kneecap. For this problem, a procedure known as a lateral release can be performed. The lateral release involves cutting the tight lateral ligaments to allow for normal position and tracking of the patella. If this is not sufficient to correct the misalignment there is more extensive surgery that can be performed.



After reading all this i know this is everything he said and sure if i went back he would tell me that is what it is called.


I did more research to find out i am not susposed to be doing the following.



DON'T DO these if you have chondromalacia:


* Keep your knee bent for long durations.
* Kneel on your knees
* Walk up and down stairs/hills unnecessarily

For starters he didn't tell me this,I sit in a computer chair all day if i have no were to go except to go to bathroom,eat and crap.

Kneel on ure knees i do this all the dang time and didn't know i wasn't susposed to even thou i feel pain when i do do it.

This is even more great because i have 3 floors on my school and only way i could use a elevator is if i got another slip from the doctor stating i could use it due to injury.

Main reason i made this thread is to try to see if someone can help me make sense of some of this.

1)Why at such a young age did i get this in both my knees.(I have not been active since i was under 13)

2)will i need therapy,the Needle therapy or surgery.

3)I am in pain daily even thou hes trying to wait intill i am 16 and a half to do anything because that is when ure bones stop growing.Can't i ask for pain killers?

Women stop growing between the ages 14-17. Men stop growing between the ages of 18-21. And since you're a man..

That's the only thing I can contribute to this thread.

Men bones stop growing at 16 and a half,But are bodys keep growing intill 18.

Noblebeastx said:

Men bones stop growing at 16 and a half,But are bodys keep growing intill 18.

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No. Bones stop growing at the end of puberty. Men do not hit the end until the age of 17-21. Some times a little earlier. Some times a little later. There is no set age for everyone. It's different for everyone.

Also, saying you're body grows until your 18 but your bones stop at 16 makes no sense. You grow only because your bones get larger. Nothing else. Your bones may change shape, and this occurs throughout life, but that isn't growth.

http://www.enotalone.com/article/11399.html

Well my recommendation is pyshical therapy is almost ALWAYS better then surgery, though if nothing else works you can use surgery as your last resort.

Never ever use the internet as a proper source for diagnosis. I know it might feel that the doctors aren't doing their job, but always run it by them before you're 100% sure. For now, keep your legs rested and keep walking at a minimum. Have your next appointment scheduled soon and ask if it's appropriate for you to enroll in a physical therapy session (and if it is chondromalacia, then ask for anti-inflammatories too if possible). Get a note so you can use the elevator. You may have to visit your doctor for a referral to a secondary source, like a chiropractor. Also check in with your podiatrist to make sure your feet aren't the cause of your problems.

To answer your questions:

1. It is possible that what you have is a different condition altogether. Do you walk a lot? Do you have a unique gait? Are your shoes comfortable? I'm not working on much here. For all I know, you may have premature arthritis.

2. If it's continuing to hurt you, then I would recommend therapy. First off, try resting your legs as much as possible and keep off your feet until you can visit your doctor. It depends on how severe your condition is. Obviously, you'll progress through each of the stages of treatment and if one doesn't work, then you'll go to the next one. Surgery's usually a last-ditch solution anyway, since it's costly and sometimes has permanent drawbacks.

3. Painkillers will do little for you. You'll probably need anti-inflammatories. Ask for referrals to specialists.

Anyway, sorry this is happening to you. Best of luck.

Remember --
Doctor = get a note to use the elevator
Podiatrist = check your feet, get insoles if needed
Chiropractor = general checkup

I asked here because at the time i do not go to the doctors for a few months and since im 16 i can make my own appointment but then i would have to get my grandmother to come with me due to me only having a driving permit and need someone 21+ in the car and she would ***** a storm up if i had to go back to the doctors just for medicine and a few questions.

Noblebeastx said:

I asked here because at the time i do not go to the doctors for a few months and since im 16 i can make my own appointment but then i would have to get my grandmother to come with me due to me only having a driving permit and need someone 21+ in the car and she would ***** a storm up if i had to go back to the doctors just for medicine and a few questions.

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You can call your doctor if you have questions.

Surmonter said:

You can call your doctor if you have questions.

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This. And if your doctor wants you to come in so he can diagnose it, then tell your grandmother why you need to go in. It should be worth noting that almost any grandmother who truly cares can be guilt-tripped on something like this, unless they have very strong religious beliefs that discourage/forbid the use of modern medicine.