Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (Chondromalacia), a done deal?

[frostfire]

It is the common most cause of chronic knee pain caused by softening of cartilage under knee cap, which eventually lead to the kneecap rubbing against one side of the knee joint. Overuse of the knee, trauma injury, and misalignment due to bad posture and pronation are among the factors that result in chondromalacia...I believe it's been mentioned only once here.

Gentlemen, I would like to know if any of you have any success/miraculous stories of complete recovery from chondromalacia. Medical reference said this syndrome is often "chronic and recurrent." I firmly believe in the power of will and mindset, but if you had successfully got rid of it, what did it for you? Arthroscopy? Plain rest and rehab?
I'd assume if your body weight alone is enough to hurt your knee, an additional 120 lbs won't make it better. Hence, one with this problem will be a liability to the team and is simply not cut out for SF?


Here are some references. If you are having the syndrome, hopefully they save you some time from googling and oogling

pictures:
http://adam.about.com/encyclopedia/9858.htm
http://adam.about.com/encyclopedia/19506.htm

general info and symptoms:
http://www.arc.org.uk/about_arth/booklets/6022/6022.htm
http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/sma/sma_patellod_sma.htm
http://www.medicinenet.com/patellofe...me/article.htm
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/ma...ticlekey=43529
http://orthopedics.about.com/cs/pate...dromalacia.htm
http://sportsmedicine.about.com/cs/k...s/a/knee10.htm

diagnosis and treatments:
http://sunzi1.lib.hku.hk/hkjo/view/47/4700050.pdf
http://www.emedx.com/emedx/diagnosis...me_outline.htm
http://www.emedx.com/pt/dx_info/pfp.htm

Only advice I got is if you're an aspiring young 'un or have an aspiring young 'un, all I can say is pay great attention to posture and allignment of the feet for any signs of pronation. Also spend money on shoes with fitted insole, and don't run around for years in boots with soles worn-out on one side. There's hell to pay in the long run.

[Roguish Lawyer]

I had it as a teenager. When I would lift, I would not do squats and some similar exercises because of it. Did physical therapy, and I don't think it's much of a problem for me any more.

[jatx]

I suffered from it during my triathlon days. Custom orthotics to correct for a funny Q angle helped a lot, as did a Cho-Pat (sp.?) strap when mileage got high.

[Texian]

I recently got over it through limited activity (no knee bends, no stairs, no running) and glucosamine chondroitin supplements for six weeks. My doctor told me to keep taking the supplement through September. I went to the doc as soon as the pain started, so I guess I caught it before it could've gotten really bad.

[Jack Moroney (RIP)]

I never got over it. Sound like a coffee bean grinder when I walk up stairs and scare the pups everytime I rise to get out of a chair. I attribute it many miles running in boots and perhaps the more than occassional foot implantation in target butts of opportunity.

[frostfire]

Texian, at which stage did you catch the syndrome? Were your knees already making grinding sounds at that point? Did you do rehab exercises to strengthen (stabilize and balance) the muscles around the knee?


JM Sir, I assume the grinding started after you got out from the service? or had it always been there throughout the SF years?


Thank you for all the responses

[Texian]

I didn't have any detectable grinding sound: Just the pain. I did have to do exercises to stabilize the kneecap and then do a "walk/run" regimen to get my knee used to running again once I got well.

[Jack Moroney (RIP)]

Originally Posted by frostfire

JM Sir, I assume the grinding started after you got out from the service? or had it always been there throughout the SF years?

Now give me a break, I'm old and cannot remember when, if, or what I had for breakfast. IIRC it started about my 10th year in service.