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What Is The Cause And Treatment For Chondromalacia?
Question: Dear doctor,
My wife underwent an ACL reconstruction surgery on the last wee of XXXXXXX
During the first few weeks of recovery, she did less physiotherapy exercises than what may have been ideal, and this lead to her quad muscles becoming weak. After a consultation with the surgeon, she started more rigorous physiotherapy.
The surgeon suggested another MRI scan. The report says that the graft and other things are mostly fine, but there's stage 2 chondromalacia. We would like to know what this is, and how to fix this.
Her knee is slightly bent, and becomes almost straight if great force is applied on it during physiotherapy. They're calling this flexion deformity. She's also having a lot of pain, and the leg is mostly stiff.
She has been asked to wear the brace during sleeping and walking. She's also been advised to stop using the crutches.
Your help is highly appreciated.
My wife underwent an ACL reconstruction surgery on the last wee of XXXXXXX
During the first few weeks of recovery, she did less physiotherapy exercises than what may have been ideal, and this lead to her quad muscles becoming weak. After a consultation with the surgeon, she started more rigorous physiotherapy.
The surgeon suggested another MRI scan. The report says that the graft and other things are mostly fine, but there's stage 2 chondromalacia. We would like to know what this is, and how to fix this.
Her knee is slightly bent, and becomes almost straight if great force is applied on it during physiotherapy. They're calling this flexion deformity. She's also having a lot of pain, and the leg is mostly stiff.
She has been asked to wear the brace during sleeping and walking. She's also been advised to stop using the crutches.
Your help is highly appreciated.
Brief Answer:
Details below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
Chondromalacia is a degenerative change in the knee joint. It is weakening and softening of the cartilage on the underside of the kneecap (patella). It is one of the most common causes of knee pain, especially in women.
Chondromalacia can be treated with regular physiotherapy and the treatment that she is getting.
She can remove the knee brace while sleeping for rest to the knee joint. The flexion deformity is common due to immobilization. This will gradually straighten after proper exercises.
For stiffness she can get some muscle relaxants prescribed.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Details below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
Chondromalacia is a degenerative change in the knee joint. It is weakening and softening of the cartilage on the underside of the kneecap (patella). It is one of the most common causes of knee pain, especially in women.
Chondromalacia can be treated with regular physiotherapy and the treatment that she is getting.
She can remove the knee brace while sleeping for rest to the knee joint. The flexion deformity is common due to immobilization. This will gradually straighten after proper exercises.
For stiffness she can get some muscle relaxants prescribed.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Hello Doctor,
Please also kindly advise about the tiny bone fragments {mentioned in the MRI report} and effusion in the bone.What treatment needs to be done for it?
Thanks a lot for your guidance
Please also kindly advise about the tiny bone fragments {mentioned in the MRI report} and effusion in the bone.What treatment needs to be done for it?
Thanks a lot for your guidance
Brief Answer:
Not worrisome.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
The small bony fragments 1-3 mm in size are not significant and will not cause any problem. These remain as it is for years. No need to worry about these.
The effusion that is seen is a reactive fluid that is commonly seen after such a surgery. This fluid will get reabsorbed on its own in few weeks. This does not need any active treatment. Taking anti inflammatory drugs is sufficient to take care of it.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
Not worrisome.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
The small bony fragments 1-3 mm in size are not significant and will not cause any problem. These remain as it is for years. No need to worry about these.
The effusion that is seen is a reactive fluid that is commonly seen after such a surgery. This fluid will get reabsorbed on its own in few weeks. This does not need any active treatment. Taking anti inflammatory drugs is sufficient to take care of it.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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