Etymed
chondromalacia
Definition
Softening of cartilage, typically referring to the deterioration of cartilage in joints
Clinical context
A 25-year-old runner presents with anterior knee pain that worsens with prolonged sitting and descending stairs. Physical examination reveals tenderness beneath the patella with crepitus on knee flexion. MRI shows softening and irregularity of the articular cartilage on the undersurface of the patella. The patient's symptoms are consistent with chondromalacia patellae, a common cause of anterior knee pain in young adults.
Mnemonic
CHONDROMALACIA - 'Chondro' cartilage, 'malacia' softening, 'patella' knee pain