Chondromalcia

Chondromalcia, peripatellar retinaculitis, peripatellar pain syndrome, or as the late Dr.George Sheehan first called it in the early 1970's, runner's knee, is an affliction associated with the knee cap (patella).  Primary symptom is a discomfort localized around the kneecap. The pain first occurs while running.  Its onset is usually after a predictable distance and is worsened by long runs.  Walking up and down stairs evokes pain as well as sitting for extended periods with the leg bent at a 90 degree angle. 

Diagnosis of this ailment can be done with a fairly simple test.  If by moving the bottom tip of the patella away from the knee and palpating (pinching) the the lower border of the knee produces the same pain the athlete feels while running, then runner's knee is generally confirmed.

The pain is a result of the kneecap mis-tracking in its groove along the femur.  If there is one prime ailment resulting from excessive ankle pronation, this is it   The resulted twisting force on the knee pulls  the cap out of alignment.

Curative measures begin with shoes and surface.  Achieving a correct gait with motion-control shoes that prevent excessive inward roll of the ankle is a good starting point.  Shoes that are too soft can contribute to the syndrome as well. Orthotics can be a successful step to correct the mechanical flaw.  Running on a cambered surface is a contributory factor, with the injury more likely to occur to the leg nearest the middle of the road.  Running on even running surfaces will assist in minimizing future recurrence.  A knee strap that re-trains the cap to track correctly is a fine modality as well, but the root cause needs addressing first.