Symptoms & Signs
- A grating or grinding sensation when the knee is extended
- Knee pain in the front of the knee that worsens after sitting for a long period of time
- Knee pain that worsens with using stairs or getting out of a chair
- Knee tenderness
Diagnosis & Tests
The doctor will perform a physical examination. The knee may be tender and mildly swollen, and the kneecap may not be perfectly lined up with the femur (thigh bone).
When you straighten your knee, a grinding sensation may be felt below the kneecap. Pressing the kneecap when the knee is straight may be painful.
X-rays are usually normal, although a special x-ray view of the kneecap may show signs of arthritis or tilting.
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Chondromalacia patella : Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
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Chondromalacia patella : Symptoms & Signs, Diagnosis & Tests
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Chondromalacia patella : Treatment
Review Date : 5/5/2008
Reviewed By : Andrew L. Chen, MD, MS, Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine, The Alpine Clinic, Littleton, NH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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