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What are the causes of chondromalacia patellae

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What is chondromalacia patellae

Chondromalacia means "softening of the cartilage", and Patellae means "the knee-cap". So Chondromalacia patellae means "softening of the articular cartilage of the knee-cap." The articular cartilage is the cartilage lining under the knee-cap that articulates with the knee joint. Under normal circumstances, it is smooth and shiny, so that it glides smoothly along the articular groove of the femur as the knee bends. When it "softens", it may break down, causing irregularities along the undersurface of the patella.


What causes Chondromalacia patellae

Chondromalacia patellae occurs in two distinct age-groups:

It can happen in the older age-group (in the 40’s and beyond) when the articular cartilage breaks down as part of the wear-and-tear process that occurs with the rest of the body.

It can occur frequently in teenagers (especially girls) when the articular cartilage "softens" in r...