chondomalacia patellae

musicinmouth

I'm just wondering if anyone has any advice in relation to chondromalacia patellae...

Early last summer I started to get pain in my knees, mostly when driving... then my knees started to make a clicking noise... I went to a doctor and then 2 different physios... who were a bit baffled... I went to another doctor... who sent me to a specialist... who says it's just a classic case of chondromalacia patellae (both knees)... he told me to do some leg lifting stretches to build up my quad muscles... that was a few weeks ago... i've been doing it pretty intensively since then... i haven't done any running since early summer... and it's still as bad as ever... i'm just a bit frustrated with it... so i'm hoping someone might have some advice... or might know how long it takes to get back to normal... thanks!!!

estariol

Well the thing I found with knee injuries is that there is no quick fix! personally have spent nearly 2 years properly coming back from serious knee problems. For me it was a case of 3rd time lucky with physio's, the 1st two took very acute approaches that got me nowhere fast.

Prob. the most significant step I took was to get good gait analysis proper runners and orthotics to help correct pronation and about 12 months of actually doing the exercises properly. There are no shortcuts! and remember to replace runners at proper distance intervals.

Canis Lupus

Yeah I got it there and am still suffering slightly. Did a sprint triathlon then once that finished I started a fair bit of mileage just for fitness.

I noticed it when I started running to work with a bag on my back. Obviously added weight must have hurt my knees but I think the bag also changed my gait.

Anyway, clicky knees, pain in the joint when running and when walking downstairs. Classic runners knee essentially.

Went to the doctors and he advised the clicking was inflamed tendons and I needed to stop running for at least a month to let my knee sort itself out. My month is up come the 11th of this month and to be fair there is no longer pain and the clicking is now practicially non existant.

I'll start slowly on hte 11th and buy new runners and get my gait analysed to make sure it's all good and go from there. Perhaps it'll come back just as quickly I dunno.

The only advice I can give is rest and keep checking with the doctors. One point I would make is that even before I went to the doctors I had recognised the problem and I'd sstop running for a weeek then go for a light 5k jog cos I was bored. This time I've totally stopped and it really looks like my knees are getting back into shape.

Guvnor

Crepitus or noisy joints/knees does not necessarily mean there is a problem.
Some people have this and have no issues.

For you I would recommend:

Glucosamine - minimum 5 grams per day and preferably 10 - get it in powder form or cheap bulk vits.

Fish Oils - plenty of these.

Then don't do exercise that aggravates the issue - in this cold weather any joint issues will be exacerbated!

Try the vitamins mate - they help me.

musicinmouth

Thank you for all your advice! I appreciate it! I haven't run at all in 4 or 5 months, so it's just getting a bit frustrating... but hopefully it will go soon. I will try the vitamins too! Thanks!

Reyman

Obviously it's best to get a physio's opinion, but my own experience with this injury is that it's pretty slow to get rid of. Rest worked for me (6 months plus) but also specifically exercising and strengthening the vastus medialis (inside of thigh just above knee). This muscle only comes into play in the last 15 degrees of straigthening your leg.

So if you're on a knee extension machine just use it on the last 15 degrees of the straightening movement and you should see an improvement.
Incidentally this injury is also called 'moviegoer's knee' -- you get pain after you've been sitting down with a flexed knee for a long time.

Rogueish

Check out his thread. It may have a few answers for you.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2054927420

Guvnor

Replying late to this thread but I've been looking at dehumidifiers recently for a different application.

Anyway - outside Irish humidity runs over 90% most of the time - have seen it as high as 98%. Now indoors humidity would surprise you as in could be as high as 60%! Not good for the joints.

Too dry and it affects you - sahara is 25% - I was abroad for 4 days recently and the humidity was 30% in the room where I was sleeping and I swear my elbows felt better - maybe 40% in the house would make a small difference as well!?