CHONDROMALATION: DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT, REHABILITATION

Abstract

Chondromalacia of the patella is one of the most common problems of childhood, especially now, when children’s lifestyle can increasingly be described as sedentary, and physical activity is minimized. Disorders of the knee joint can have varying intensity and severity, but in any case, this problem requires a mandatory and immediate solution, because the self-healing of cartilage can’t be expected. This problem is widespread in different countries and we have accumulated a lot of information about it, which we have systematized in this material. The aim of the study was to comprehensively characterize the problem of chondromalacia and to draw up a program of physical rehabilitation for chondromalacia for school-age children. Thus, we considered the theoretical issues of determining chondromalacia, diagnosis and treatment of this condition, as well as rehabilitation approaches. In particular, it can be noted that physical therapy is quite effective in cases of uncomplicated chondromalacia. However, in neglected conditions or particularly severe conditions, including those accompanied by additional pathology, there is a need for medical or even surgical intervention. In children, the initial development of chondromalacia, as a rule, can be corrected by the use of therapeutic exercise, which helps to increase mobility and weight loss, which are among the major risk factors for the development of chondromalacia of the patella. Therefore, in the research part of the work we have proposed a scheme of therapeutic physical culture and concomitant ozokerite therapy for children of primary, secondary and senior school age, taking into account their belonging to these age groups. The program provides a set of physical exercises that must be performed for rehabilitation in chondromalacia and for prophylactic purposes to prevent its occurrence. There is a set of exercises that can be used for children with signs of chondromalacia. Exercises are performed from different positions, however, common to most of them is that there is an increase in the load on the lower body, in particular on the extremities, to improve the condition of the joints. Exercises can also be performed with an additional load, which is assigned depending on age. The total duration of the set of exercises is 30-45 minutes in different age groups. Recommendations on ozokerite therapy and the possibility of adding aerobics to the pool to improve the condition of children are also provided.