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Question: my brother had a grade 2 chondromalacia patella, i want to know what it means?!
Answer: Chondromalacia roughly translates to diseased cartilage. There are 4 grades of chondromalacia (grade 1, grade2, grade3 and grade4) that refer to the severity of the findings. Grade 1 is the least severe; Grade IV is the most severe. Grade IV chondromalacia refers to cartilage that is cracked/fissured to the extent the the bone directly underneath the cartilage (subchondral bone) is exposed.

Chondromalacia is caused by the disproportionate development of muscles around the knee. The muscles then pull the knee cap in an abnormal direction. The undersurface of the knee cap starts to rub against other parts of the knee joint and pain develops.
This condition can get better on its own over time, but it may take several years.
To hasten recovery, you may need to modify your exercise program. If you are a cyclist, you may want to try lower gears. If you are a runner, you may need to temporarily decrease the intensity of your program. Consider low impact or no impact sports like swimming.
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Please read the entire chondromalacia Exercises page before attempting the exercises further down the page. If you are experiencing knee pain, ask your doctor or physical therapist what exercises are appropriate.
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Your Knee Pain: Is It Chondromalacia?
What is chondromalacia patellae?
Chondromalacia patellae is damage to the patella cartilage. It is like a ’softening’ or ‘wear and tear’ of the cartilage. The roughening or damage can range from slight to severe.
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