What are the grades of chondromalacia?

Grade 1 severity indicates softening of the cartilage in the knee area. Grade 2 indicates a softening of the cartilage along with abnormal surface characteristics. This usually marks the beginning of tissue erosion. Grade 3 shows thinning of cartilage with active deterioration of the tissue.

What is Grade 4 chondromalacia of the patella?

Grade 4 – Grade 4 chondromalacia indicates that there is complete loss of cartilage with exposed subchondral bone. Grade 4 changes can be focal (involve a small area of cartilage), or it can be diffuse where it affects a large surface area.

What is modified Outerbridge classification?

The Outerbridge classification is a grading system for joint cartilage breakdown: Grade 0 – normal. Grade I – cartilage with softening and swelling. Grade II – a partial-thickness defect with fissures on the surface that do not reach subchondral bone or exceed 1.5 cm in diameter.

What causes Grade 4 chondromalacia?

The most common cause is abnormal “wear and tear” of the weight-bearing (articular) cartilage layer within the medial (inner) weight-bearing compartment exposing bare bone. This may have evolved from an unrecognized, high-impact injury, excessive weight or prolonged weight-bearing on hard surfaces.

What is the best treatment for chondromalacia patella?

How is chondromalacia patella treated?

• Placing of an ice or cold pack to the area for 15-20 minutes, four times daily, for several days.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain relief—These include ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin.

What should you not do if you have chondromalacia patella?

This means avoiding going up and down stairs and hills, deep knee bends, kneeling, step-aerobics and high impact aerobics. Do not wear high heeled shoes. Do not do exercises sitting on the edge of a table lifting leg weights (knee extension).

Does chondromalacia patella need surgery?

In many cases, due to the fact that the kneecap has been out of line for a person’s whole life, the condition worsens with activity and improves with rest. Many patients elect to have this problem surgically corrected. Surgically correcting this problem is relatively easy with arthroscopic surgery.

How bad is chondromalacia patella?

What is chondromalacia patellae? Chondromalacia patellae is damage to the kneecap (patellar) cartilage. It is like a softening or wear and tear of the cartilage. The roughening or damage can range from slight to severe.