Brief Answer: Described below. Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for posting your query. Chondromalacia patella or patellofemoral pain syndrome is weakening and softening of the cartilage on the underside of the kneecap (patella). Chondromalacia patella is one of the most common causes of knee pain. Treatment of patellofemoral pain often begins with simple measures. Rest your knee as much as possible. Avoid any activities that increase the pain, such as climbing stairs. Specific exercises can strengthen the muscles that support your knees and control limb alignment, such as your quadriceps, hamstrings and the muscles around your hips. Prevention:- • Good general conditioning is important to controlling and preventing patellofemoral pain. If you're too heavy, you may need to lose weight to avoid overstressing your knees. • Stretch. Before running or any other exercise, first do a 5-minute warm up, followed by stretching exercises. Stretching, particularly in the face down position (prone), will help keep the supporting structures around the front of the knee flexible and less likely to be irritated with exercise. Stretch before and after exercise. • Increase training gradually. Avoid sudden changes in the intensity of exercise. • Use running shoes with good shock absorption and quality construction. Be sure that shoes fit properly and are in good condition. If you have flat feet, you may need shoe inserts. • Use proper running form. Lean forward and keep your knees bent. Also, try to run on a clear, smooth, resilient, even, and reasonably soft surface. Never run straight down a steep hill. Walk down it, or run in a zigzag pattern. You can help the swelling and pain by taking following measures- Use the RICE formula: •Rest. Avoid putting weight on the painful leg. •Ice. Apply cold packs or ice wrapped in a towel for short periods of time, several times a day. •Compression- you can tie a crepe bandage in the area for relief. •Elevation- Keep the leg elevated on two pillows. Take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen if you need more pain relief. In case the swelling and pain increases then do attend an ER for examination and stronger prescription medicines. It usually gets better with early treatment and reconditioning. 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

---

Brief Answer: Yes. It is progressive. Detailed Answer: Hello. Thanks for writing again. The restricted movement around the knee joint can be due to stiffness associated with the inflammation. This is usually progressive in nature. Regular physiotherapy and stretching exercises will help in gradually increasing the range of motion. Hope my answer is helpful. If you do not have any clarifications, you can close the discussion and rate the answer. Wish you good health. Regards

---