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What Causes Chondromalacia Patellae?

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Posted on Wed, 22 Apr 2015
Question: Tore my medial femoral articular cartilage and had an arthroscopy and debridement around 8 months ago. First three month pain free and then have has intermittent pain for the last four months. Went back to GP had an MRI and waiting to see the surgeon.
MRI results say: There is significant chrondomalacia in the medial femorotibial compartment. There is a focus full thickness cartilage fissuring and irregularity at the central-to-posterior aspect medial femoral condyle.
There is a mild attenuation of the free crescentic margin, probably reflecting postsurgical change only.
There is no focus of bone marrow odema and no occult intrinsic bone lesion. There is a tiny bakers cyst in the popliteal fossa. There is no mass. The popliteal neurovascular bundle appears normal.
Will this mean I need surgery again?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (14 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
You do not need any surgery

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have studied your case. I believe that your cartilage surgeey was successful. Only thing is along with that you are also having chondromalacia. This is softening of knee cartilage and it is common in young females.
So I would suggest you to follow this.
1. Physiotherapy in form of static quadriceps .
2. Tablet Dicerin twice daily.
3. Tablet Etoricoxib 90 mg daily.
4. Avoid squatting and sitting cross leg .
I hope this answer will be helpful to you. Let me know if you have any other followup questions.
Thanks
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (24 hours later)
Doesnt full-thickness cartilage fissuring usually mean microfracture or allograft surgery?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (26 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Surgery depends on size of the lesion

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
If cartilage defect is full thickness and causing continuous pain than it may need surgery. If you are feeling pain and taking pain killer daily than you should get the surgery done.
If defect is less than 1cmx1cm than microfracture can be done. If this lesion is bigger than this allograft is needed. From your report I think you might need allograft. Procedure can be decided on the basis of arthroscopy image. MRI might show a falsely increase size .
I would recommend you to visit a arthroscopy surgeon if you are feeling pain. If your pain is bearable than you can wait .
thanks
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
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma

Orthopaedic Surgeon, Joint Replacement

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 4486 Questions

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What Causes Chondromalacia Patellae?

Brief Answer: You do not need any surgery Detailed Answer: Hello, I have studied your case. I believe that your cartilage surgeey was successful. Only thing is along with that you are also having chondromalacia. This is softening of knee cartilage and it is common in young females. So I would suggest you to follow this. 1. Physiotherapy in form of static quadriceps . 2. Tablet Dicerin twice daily. 3. Tablet Etoricoxib 90 mg daily. 4. Avoid squatting and sitting cross leg . I hope this answer will be helpful to you. Let me know if you have any other followup questions. Thanks