When is physiotherapy recommended for chondromalacia patellae?

Chondromalacia patellae refers to irritation or softening involving the cartilage beneath the kneecap. Pain may appear with stairs, squatting, running, jumping, or sitting with the knee bent for a long time. A physiotherapist checks alignment, hip and thigh strength, kneecap movement, flexibility, and the way you load the leg. The programme is adjusted to your symptoms rather than based on a label alone.

Book an assessment if pain keeps returning, changes how you walk, or prevents normal exercise. Early treatment often involves reducing aggravating loads temporarily, then progressing hip and thigh strengthening, balance, and task-specific movement. Increase stairs, running, or squats in stages and stop an exercise that causes sharp or escalating pain. See [Chondromalacia Patellae](/conditions/chondromalacia-patellae/) and [Physiotherapy](/treatments/physiotherapy-and-rehabilitation/physiotherapy/) for further reading.

Seek prompt assessment if the knee becomes very swollen, hot, or red, if you cannot bear weight, or if it locks and will not straighten. An injury followed by a sudden pop, marked instability, or rapidly worsening pain also warrants medical review.

Ask which activities are safe now, how to progress strengthening, whether footwear or training changes would help, and what symptoms suggest another knee problem.