Does Exercise Therapy Treat Chondromalacia Patellae?

Chondromalacia patellae involves irritation or softening of cartilage beneath the kneecap. Symptoms often appear with stairs, squatting, running, or sitting with the knee bent for a long time. Therapy focuses on how the kneecap is loaded rather than promising cartilage repair. Strengthening the quadriceps, hip, and buttock muscles can improve alignment and control, while flexibility and movement changes may reduce strain during daily tasks.

A physiotherapist can choose exercises that match your strength and pain response, then progress them gradually. You may need to temporarily reduce deep squats, repeated stairs, or high-impact activity if these provoke symptoms. Keep moving within a comfortable range and use the prescribed technique. Improvement usually depends on regular practice and adjusting the load when pain remains unsettled.

Arrange an assessment if knee pain persists, limits walking, or comes with recurrent swelling, catching, or a feeling that the knee gives way. Seek prompt care after an injury if you cannot bear weight, the knee is visibly deformed, or swelling develops quickly. Sudden calf swelling or breathlessness needs urgent medical attention.

Which activities should I modify first? Which muscles need strengthening? How will we judge whether my programme is helping rather than overloading the knee?