Patellar chondromalacia is one of the major medical conditions affecting the kneecap. Initially, it is an inflammation that leads to a slow softening of the cartilage structure, followed by its abrasion and thinning. It is a progressive disease process that ultimately leads to the destruction of the kneecap. The changes affecting the patella cause its structure to defibrate, the formation of fissures and, as a consequence, degenerative changes within the patellofemoral joint and a clear limitation of the patella movement, which translates into restriction of the movement of the entire knee.

The reasons that provoke the development of patellar chondromalacia are divided into:

post-traumatic - each injury and repeated overstraining leads to the weakening of the cartilage,
dysplastic - defective shape of the articular surfaces, especially the patellofemoral joint or too close positioning of the patella to the femur, lead to cartilage irritation - conflict in the patellofemoral joint; in addition, any disturbances of the knee axis (valgus, varus) or the foot (flat feet) may be factors determining the development of chondromalacia,
idiopathic (of unknown origin) - in which the cause of degenerative changes cannot be determined,
others - a consequence of diseases (e.g. aseptic bone necrosis) or a complication of the use of steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

The main symptoms accompanying cartilage chondromalacia include:

- knee pain, located in the front of the knee, which increases when walking, climbing or descending stairs, squats, and in some cases is also very troublesome at rest,
- palpation pain in the patella area,
- feeling of stiffness in the knee
- swelling that appears after overloading the joint,
- a feeling of "crackling" and "crunching" in the joint, caused by rubbing uneven joint surfaces against each other,
- feeling of joint instability.

Treatment of chondromalacia mainly consists in reducing the factors accelerating the wear of the articular cartilage. Treatment includes normalizing body weight, avoiding excessive joint overload, exercises to strengthen the muscles that stabilize the knee joint, physical therapy and biological therapies. With advanced lesions, surgical treatment is necessary, most often with the use of an arthroscope. During arthroscopy, the doctor assesses the inside of the joint and, depending on the degree and extent of the cartilage damage, takes repair measures. In the case of a minor damage to the cartilage, the most common is to clean and even out the articular surface of the cartilage with a shaver. The following procedures are performed during arthroscopy: microfractures and patellar cartilage reconstruction techniques using Hyalofast or collagen membranes.