Chondromalacia Patella Treatment by Grade (1-4): Specialist Care
Does this happen to you?
Do you have knee pain, stiffness, swelling and/or locking that begins during or after physical activity such as running?
Do the symptoms diminish when you finish exercising?
Does it hurt in a way that forces you to stop exercising?
If you ever experience such severe pain or if you have any of these symptoms, please contact us, as there are treatments that will help you get rid of the pain, recover and return to sports.
Take the first step towards a full and pain-free life with Regenerative Medicine.
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Specialists in the treatment of chondromalacia patellae by grade without surgery
I am Miguel Alfonso Porcar recognized specialist in the treatment of chondromalacia patella and chondropathy with bioregenerative therapies of platelet-rich plasma, growth factors, autologous serum rich in cytokines …
At Regenerat Traumatology Clinic we are specialists in the diagnosis and treatment of the main ailments and knee injuries.
Our goal is to determine the cause of your knee pain, perform diagnostic tests to determine the extent of your knee ailment or injury.
Once the diagnosis is known, we will apply the most appropriate treatment of regenerative traumatology or orthopedic surgery to relieve your pain so that you can recover your wellbeing as soon as possible.
We want to help our patients using the safest, most successful, least invasive and most economical treatments possible!
English-Speaking Orthopedic Doctor for International Patients
Dr Carlos Mairal, an orthopedic surgeon and trauma specialist in regenerative medicine, provides medical care in English for international patients.
He specializes in the technique of ultrasound-guided infiltrations using platelet-rich plasma for the treatment of degenerative diseases such as patellar chondromalacia and osteoarthritis in knees, hips, shoulders, and other joints.
If you are looking for cutting-edge treatment for musculoskeletal injuries, osteoarthritis, or tendinopathies and prefer to communicate in English, Dr Mairal will offer you personalised care in a professional and welcoming environment.
Book your appointment today and receive expert care from an English-speaking orthopedic doctor.
What is chondropathy or chondromalacia patella?
The knee joints are lined with a tissue called articular cartilage, which allows the bones of the joint to move smoothly against each other and cushions them during impact.
Over time, or because of an acute injury, that cartilage can begin to soften and break down in a condition called chondromalacia.
The ability of the cartilage to protect the bones of the joint is reduced, resulting in pain.
Although chondromalacia can occur in any joint in the body, it most commonly occurs in the underside of the kneecap, in a condition called chondromalacia patellae.
Causes of chondromalacia patellae
The causes of chondromalacia are multiple.
We can have the pathology without having an origin, just because of our own anatomy.
It is usually more frequent after overloading due to sports of great demand for the region(athletics, cycling, trail running, trail running,…), and more predisposing in those patients who already have a previous affection of the patella.
The most common causes of chondromalacia patella are as follows:
- Acute trauma of the patella.
- Fracture or dislocation of patella.
- Muscle imbalance in groups around the knee.
- Repeated steroid injections in the knee.
- Overloads and overuse, especially in athletes.
- Rheumatoid arthritis.
- Osteoarthritis.
- Hereditary factors.
- Misalignment or imbalance caused by alterations in neighboring joints (hip, ankle, foot).
What are the symptoms of chondromalacia patella?
The symptoms of a cartilage defect are not proportional to the size of the damage, i.e. a small lesion may cause a lot of pain, or vice versa.
Pain in the patella or knee joint noises, swelling and limitation of motion may be felt .
This pain occurs during movement, especially in flexion such as squatting, when descending slopes or stairs and peculiarly the pain may increase after prolonged sitting with the knee semi-flexed (for example, in the cinema) and even leave the knees stiff.
The professional usually finds a painful palpation in the external border of the patella, that is why this pathology is called external patellar hyperpressure syndrome.
- Chondromalacia can also cause the knee joint to “catch,” meaning that it suddenly has difficulty moving beyond a certain point.
- It can also cause the knee to give way unexpectedly. These symptoms are most often associated with repeated knee flexion over a short period of time.
Grades of knee chondromalacia
Chondromalacia patella grade 1
Mild pain due to softening of the cartilage. Mild symptoms of pain that usually occur due to some position, or exercise, or climatic changes.
Chondromalacia patella grade 2
More intense pain, due to a small fibrillation of the cartilage that lasts over time, and it is possible to visualize the wear and tear through magnetic resonance imaging.
Chondromalacia patella grade 3
More intense pain, since the surface of the cartilage is fissured reaching the deepest layers of the cartilage and is accompanied by intense inflammation and with important changes of image.
Chondromalacia patella grade 4
Loss of articular cartilage, disabling and permanent joint pain, accompanied by inflammation and joint instability.
Diagnosis of chondromalacia and patellar chondropathy
Dr. Alfonso Porcar, expert in knee pathologies and injuries, diagnoses chondromalacia and patellar chondropathy.
A careful clinical history and the presence of the above symptoms may lead to the suspicion of chondropathy.
Confirmation can only be given by magnetic resonance imaging, as it shows whether the cartilage layer is thinner or whether it is completely eroded exposing the bone.
Ultrasound is also an option, although we will use it more frequently for treatment than for diagnosis.
In more advanced stages, diagnostic arthroscopy is a viable option. This procedure involves the insertion of small specialized instruments and a camera-called an arthroscope-through small incisions around the knee.
It allows your doctor to make sure you have chondromalacia patella while ruling out other injuries inside the joint.
Chondromalacia patella: Treatments
Non-surgical treatments are recommended for most cases of chondromalacia.
These treatments include:
- Strengthening exercises of the quadricipital and gemellar muscles (avoiding impact exercises).
- Orthoses (knee braces and functional bandages)
- Analgesics and/or anti-inflammatory drugs according to the medical history of each individual patient.
- Platelet-rich plasma infiltrations .
- Infiltrations of hyaluronic acid.
- Autologous conditioned serum. Q-rem cytokine.
When non-surgical treatments are no longer effective, surgical treatment is the last option.
Among them, we highlight arthroscopic surgery, although it is also possible to perform an open intervention and place prosthetic materials (more frequently in middle-aged patients).
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) chondromalacia patellae
Treatment with platelet-rich plasma improves symptoms and may even be curative.
Associated with a weight training program, it is used in young patients with femoropatellar pain (chondromalacia), and in patients in their 50s suffering from incipient osteoarthritis.
It is currently the treatment of choice in most degenerative pathologies, with very promising results.
Treatment of patellar chondropathy with hyaluronic acid infiltrations.
Intra-articular injection of high molecular weight hyaluronic acid stimulates the production of better quality synovial fluid, which helps protect the damaged joint. It generates an artificial cushion that protects the already damaged cartilage.
Hyaluronic acid injections may be the long-term solution you need. They are applied directly into the knee joint lubricating the joints, aiding bone and cartilage growth and reducing swelling.
It is commonly used in young patients with chondromalacia patella, improving their quality of life and slowing its progression.
Surgical treatment of chondromalacia patellae
Arthroscopic surgery begins with an examination of the joint to assess muscle and ligament imbalances in order to correct them if necessary.
This surgery consists of using a small camera that is introduced into the joint with a small incision so that the surgeon can see inside it.
Some people have chondromalacia because their kneecap is misaligned. This means that the kneecap does not sit correctly in its groove. A common procedure to fix this problem is lateral release.
Lateral release is usually performed arthroscopically.
It involves cutting some of the tight ligaments that pull on the patella to release the tension and allow proper movement and position.
Why Regenerat Clinic for the treatment of your chondromalacia knee in Valencia?
Knee pain referents in Valencia
In the field of treatment of knee pain and pathologies, Regenerat clinic is your reference center.
State-of-the-art technology
Ultrasound-guided ultrasound scanners that facilitate diagnosis. Cutting-edge, less invasive treatments that relieve and in many cases eliminate your knee pain in Valencia, offering better health and quality of life.
Patient Testimonials
Our patients value our experience and multidisciplinary treatment and care after hyaluronic acid or PRP injections for chondromalacia of the knee, eliminating pain and recovering your activity after treatment.
We provide solutions that are not found in other clinics and hospitals, through regenerative treatments for knee pain, which in many cases avoid the need for surgery.
You can watch the videos with patient’s opinions about the treatment, as well as the opinions of PRP infiltrations o plasma infiltrations.
Other pathologies treated by one of the best knee surgeons
Causes related to knee injuries include damage to parts of the knee, such as bones, cartilage, ligaments, tendons or muscles.
- Patellar tendonitis injections: Resulting from inflammation of the tendon that attaches the patella to the tibia. It is called jumper’s knee.
- Bursitis knee treatment with injections: Bursitis is the inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs or bursae that cushion the knee. It is usually a consequence of tendinitis.
- Arthritis stages in knee: Osteoarthritis occurs when joint cartilage wears away and causes pain, stiffness and swelling.
- Chondromalacia patellae: is the softening and loss of cartilage in the kneecap. It occurs in young and adult athletes suffering from knee arthritis.
- PRP injections for Bone marrow edema: Bone marrow edema is the inflammation or injury in the medullary zone of the knee, due to a contusion, with the appearance of microfracture and inflammation.
- Knee sprain treatment: Sprains are usually due to sports injuries.
- Meniscus tear: common in athletes, contact sports. In older people degenerative meniscus tears.
New opening Regenerat: Orthopedic surgeon in Gandía, Benidorm, Denia, Jávea, Calpe, Altea, La Nucia….
Specialists in Regenerative Medicine and Physiotherapy in Gandía
Call ☎ 961 146 834
Regenerat is a paediatric and adult trauma clinic, specialising in regenerative medicine treatments that delay and, in many cases, avoid orthopaedic surgery.
Our patients get an unbiased diagnosis and we offer you various surgical and non-surgical treatment options.
The most common pathologies treated at our medical center are osteoarthritis, back pain, tendon injuries, and sports injuries.
English-Speaking Orthopedic Doctor for International Patients
Serving patients from Gandia to Benidorm, including Dénia, Jávea, Altea, Calpe, La Nucía, and across Alicante: Expert care at our Gandia clinic.
We are located at C/ Ciutat de Laval, 23, 46702 Gandia, Valencia, Spain.
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Contact information
☎ 961 146 834
info@regeneratclinica.com
Schedule
Mornings – 9:30am – 14:00pm
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Regenerat Clinic in Catarroja
Carrer Emili Ferrer Gómez, 4, 46470
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Regenerat Clinic in Gandia
C/ Ciutat de Laval, 23, 46702 Gandia, Valencia
