Treatment of patellar chondromalacia can be done with rest, ice blocks, and exercises to strengthen leg muscles, especially quadriceps, which forms the anterior part of the thigh to reduce pain, inflammation, and friction between bones. Thigh, femur and knee, kneecap.
Although pain and discomfort in the anterior part of the knee decrease with the use of anti-inflammatory drugs, painkillers and cold compresses, it is important to perform physiotherapy sessions to strengthen the leg muscles to make the knee joint more stable, reducing the recurrence of symptoms.
- Pain at the front of the knee usually gets worse when sitting down and climbing stairs.
- As well as walking and squatting.
- See what you can do at home to relieve knee pain.
Analgesic and anti-inflammatory remedies can be used in pill form and also in the form of an ointment to apply directly to the painful site, but always under the direction of the orthopedic doctor as there are restrictions and contraindications to be respected.
Medications are usually indicated for 7 days, from the start of treatment to relieve pain and facilitate movement, but should no longer be used as they can damage the stomach. In addition, before taking anti-inflammatory medications, it is recommended to take a gastric protector to protect the stomach walls. Taking the medicine after meals also helps reduce the stomach discomfort it can cause.
Ointments can be used 2 or 3 times a day, with a small massage, until completely absorbed by the skin. Applying the ointment after a hot bath can increase its effectiveness as it facilitates its absorption.
Physical therapy is very important and can be performed by devices that act as an analgesic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory, combating inflammation and should be prescribed by the physical therapist after a evaluation with this professional.
Initially, each session may include: devices, physiotherapy techniques such as joint and patellar mobilization, strengthening exercises, stretches, and cold compresses.
The physical therapist may indicate the use of devices such as tension, ultrasound, laser or infrared, for a while, then exercises should be performed that should strengthen the muscles of the anterior and lateral thighs, for example:
Each exercise can be done in 3 sets of 10 to 20 repetitions. At the beginning of the treatment, exercises can be performed without weights, but it is necessary to increase the resistance, placing different weights on the shin, as the pain subsides.
Stretching the muscles of the back of the thigh is also very important for knee recovery. Stretching exercises that may be done after strengthening exercises may include:
To do these stretches you just have to stand in the position indicated by each image for 1 minute, 3 to 5 consecutive times, however, you should not keep the same stretch for more than a minute as this will have no advantage and that is why it is important to take breaks every minute, so that the muscle can return to its neutral position , before starting a new stretch. These stretches can be done daily at home for easy treatment.
Cold compresses can be useful after physical therapy exercises, so simply apply the compress to the sore area, leaving it to act for 20 minutes, but with a cloth with a thin cloth to protect the skin. See when it’s best to use a hot cloth. or cold compress in the following video:
Here’s an exercise that can be helpful when there’s no more pain, in the final phase of treatment: Knee propioception exercises.
In the most severe cases, when the person has grade IV or V patellar chondropathy, a deterioration that can be found on a knee x-ray or MRI, the orthopedist may indicate knee surgery to repair the injury, and after that, the individual must have at least 6 weeks of physical therapy to improve the range of motion of the knee and be able to walk , run and sit normally, without any pain. Find out how this surgery can be performed by clicking here.