Evidence based physiotherapy management of Chondromalacia Patella-A review study

Abstract

Chondromalacia patellae (CMP) is an abnormal softening of the cartilage on the underside of the patella. It causes pain in the front of the knees. Due to increased Q angles women are affected more than men. This review analyses the evidence based physiotherapy management of Chondromalacia patellae. The Cochrane library and PubMed search related to physiotherapy treatment of Chondromalacia patellae, Patellofemoral pain syndrome, anterior knee pain was performed until 10th June, 2021. Thirty papers were found, of which eight were reviewed because they were focused on the topic of the article. Different treatments can be tried for CMP, including therapeutic ultrasound, exercise therapy, needling, taping and braces (orthosis). Therapeutic ultrasound appears not to have a clinically important effect on pain relief for CMP patient. The evidence that exercise therapy is more effective in treating CMP than no exercise for pain reduction. The significant difference was found between taping and non-taping. The orthosis reduced pain compared with no treatment.