What is the Difference Between Chondromalacia Patella and Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

The key difference between chondromalacia patella and patellofemoral pain syndrome is that chondromalacia patella is a knee pain that is more common in people who are overweight, those who have had injury or fracture, athletes, and teenagers, while patellofemoral pain syndrome is a knee pain that is more common in athletes.

Knee pain is a common symptom that affects people of all ages. Knee pain may be due to an injury such as a ruptured ligament or torn cartilage. Chondromalacia patella and patellofemoral pain syndrome are two medical conditions that cause knee pain.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Chondromalacia Patella  
3. What is Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
4. Similarities – Chondromalacia Patella and Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
5. Chondromalacia Patella vs Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Chondromalacia Patella vs Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

What is Chondromalacia Patella?

Chondromalacia patella is a medical condition that causes knee pain. It is also known as the softening and breakdown of the tissue on the underside of the kneecap. This condition occurs when the undersurface of the knee cap comes in contact with the thigh bone. Abnormal knee cap positioning, tightness of the muscles associated with the knee, too much activity involving the knee, and flat feet increase the likelihood of getting this condition. Chondromalacia patella is more common in people who are overweight, who have had injury or fracture, athletes, soccer players, bicyclists, other people who exercise, and teenagers. The symptoms of this condition include dull, aching pain behind the kneecap, below the kneecap, or on the sides of the kneecap, and a feeling of grinding when the knee is flexed, such as while knee bends, going down stairs, running downhill and standing up after sitting for a while.

Chondromalacia patella is diagnosed through physical examination, blood test, X-ray, MRI scan, and arthroscopy. Furthermore, treatment options for chondromalacia patella may include resting, applying ice, supporting braces, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, pain relievers, topical medications, changing exercises, losing weight, wearing special shoes and supportive devices, tapping to realign the knee cap, and wearing right kind of sport or running shoes.

What is Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome?

Patellofemoral pain syndrome is a disease that causes knee pain around and under the knee cap. It is also known as a runner’s or jumper’s knee. This condition affects both children as well as adults. And it is more common in athletes. The symptoms of this condition may include pain during activities that bend the knee, pain after sitting for a long period of time, cracking or popping sounds in the knee, and pain that increases with changes in the movement or activity intensity.

Moreover, patellofemoral pain syndrome can be diagnosed through physical examination and imaging scans like MRI and X-ray. Treatment options for this condition include resting, applying ice, compression, elevation, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy, orthotics, and surgery.

What are the Similarities Between Chondromalacia Patella and Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome?

• Chondromalacia patella and patellofemoral pain syndrome are two medical conditions that cause knee pain.
• Both conditions are characterized by pain around the knee cap.
• They predominantly affect females.
• Both conditions can be diagnosed through physical examination and imaging scans.
• They are treated through pain medications and physical therapy.

What is the Difference Between Chondromalacia Patella and Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome?

Chondromalacia patella is a knee pain condition that is more common in people who are overweight, who have had injury or fracture, athletes, and teenagers, while patellofemoral pain syndrome is a knee pain condition that is more common in athletes. Thus, this is the key difference between chondromalacia patella and patellofemoral pain syndrome. Furthermore, chondromalacia patella is mainly seen in adults, while patellofemoral pain syndrome can be seen in both children and adults.

The below infographic presents the differences between chondromalacia patella and patellofemoral pain syndrome in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

Summary – Chondromalacia Patella vs Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Chondromalacia patella and patellofemoral pain syndrome are two medical conditions that cause knee pain and are characterized by pain around the knee cap. Chondromalacia patella is more common in people who are overweight, who have had injury or fracture, athletes, and teenagers. In contrast, patellofemoral pain syndrome is a knee pain condition more common in athletes. So, this summarizes the difference between chondromalacia patella and patellofemoral pain syndrome.

Reference:

1. “Chondromalacia.” Harvard Health, 1 Nov. 2020.
2. “Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (Runner’s Knee).” Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (Runner’s Knee) | Johns Hopkins Medicine, 3 Mar. 2023.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Arthro-CT mit drittgradiger Chondromalazie 39W – CT coronar und axial – 001” By Hellerhoff – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “PFPS” By BodyParts3D/Anatomography – Anatomography (CC BY-SA 2.1 jp) via Commons Wikimedia