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Chondromalacia since 2 years
Hi I (Female 25) got a knee injury (grade 3 chondromalacia) at 23. I do physiotherapy but the pain is still there. My question is, will I ever be able to heal 100%?
Is there any healing possible without any surgical intervention?
Answers (19)
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Hi,
Chondromalacia patella (also called "runnerâs knee") refers to softening and damage of the cartilage on the underside of your kneecap.
You often feel pain in the front of the knee, especially when climbing stairs, squatting, or sitting with knees bent for long periods.
The honest truth:
Cartilage damage (Grade 3) does not fully "regenerate" on its own. Cartilage has a poor blood supply, so complete natural regrowth is unlikely.
However, symptoms and pain can improve a lot, even without surgery, if you manage it properly.
What does "healing" mean here?
While your cartilage may not look perfect again on MRI, many people become pain-free or nearly pain-free by
Correcting mechanics and muscle imbalances.
Reducing stress on the patella.
Strengthening key supporting muscles.
Next Steps
Strengthening your quadriceps (especially VMO muscle) to improve kneecap tracking. Strengthening glutes and hip muscles to control thigh position and reduce knee overload.
Health Tips
Modifying activities (avoid deep squats, prolonged stairs or kneeling initially). Orthotics or footwear correction if you have flat feet or excessive pronation.
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Hi, at 23 Chondromalacia is quite uncommen, kindly go for a re evaluation.
Specify your symptomes as qstioned below
1) When and where do you feel pain!?
2) Which activity loosens your pain!?
3) Are you in any sporting activity??
4) What's your BMI.
5) Do you have FLAT FOOT?
Next Steps
Kindly approach with XRAY for a detailed Assessment and to start a exercise regimen.
Don't worry you can be pain free in no time with Slight modifications in your daily activities and following Ergonomical postures.
Wish you a speedy recovery
Health Tips
Since it is knee, avoid prolonged weight bearing
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Please take an online consultation session for accurate assessment and treatment for your condition.
Next Steps
Evidence based Physiotherapy will be very helpful for your condition
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Needs more clarity on the onset of symptoms. If it's non traumatic then there must be some biomechanical factors that need to be addressed as getting GIII chondromalacia at this age is not usual. Physiotherapy must definitely help to take almost whole of the symptoms provided there is detailed mechanical examination and relevant management. If your current physiotherapy improvement has plateaued you may think about a second opinion for further evaluation with novel approach.
Next Steps
Re evaluation (virtual/F2F)
Health Tips
continue your exercises and precautions are really important. (avoid deep sqauts, extreme knee bending; use proper footwear. a patellar support brace (just the strap) will be really helpful.
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Please do online consultation.
I can help because my Expertise is in knee joint.
Thank you.
Next Steps
Keep Apply Ice pack Morning and Evening and Continue Knee isometric exercise.
Health Tips
Avoid long time standing and stairs..
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Grade 3 chondromalacia indicates significant cartilage softening and damage under the kneecap. Full âhealingâ of cartilage is challenging because cartilage has limited blood supply, but functional recovery and pain relief are definitely possible with consistent conservative care. Many patients with this condition manage very well without surgery through physiotherapy, lifestyle modifications, and muscle strengthening.
Next Steps
Please continue physiotherapy focusing not just on pain relief but also correcting biomechanics â like improving hip-glute strength, quadriceps control, and patellar tracking. Avoid high-impact activities (e.g., jumping or squats beyond tolerance), and get re-evaluated by your physiotherapist to adjust your program. If pain persists despite this, an orthopedic consult for further imaging and second-line options (e.g., hyaluronic injections, PRP, or surgical opinion) may be needed.
Health Tips
⢠Patience is key â cartilage recovery is slow, but improvement is very possible. ⢠Focus on joint-friendly exercise: cycling, closed-chain strengthening, and water-based activities can help. ⢠Listen to your knee â sharp pain during activity is a sign to modify or stop. ⢠Donât lose hope: many women in their 20s with chondromalacia lead active lives with the right care and consistency.
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Hey there
Please consult me online with all of your reports.
You are young so hopefully we can try to manage it by exercises and using brace.
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It lead to Grade 3 due to in proper guidance after your injury
you haven’t strengthened your muscle enuf mostly your quads
that leads to improper positioning of your patella bone
exercise is the only option but the timing and repetition are very important
Next Steps
Don’t take steps , take support of hand while sitting on chair
Health Tips
have sesame seed every day one table spoon and egg
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Hi please take an online consultation for best diagnosis and treatment.
Next Steps
Physiotherapy treatment is highly successful.
Health Tips
Maintain your posture and follow the physiotherapy treatment.
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Yes there is an option to complete yreat without surgery, for details you can contact me in private chat
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Complete healing of Grade 3 chondromalacia without surgery is unlikely, but symptoms can be significantly reduced or managed with the right approach.
Quadriceps strengthening (especially VMO muscle)
Hip abductors and glute activation
Stretching (hamstrings, calves, IT band)
Patellar tracking exercises
Lifestyle Modifications
Avoid kneeling, squatting, and stairs if painful
Use shock-absorbing shoes
Consider patellar taping or bracing for stability
Electrotherapy
TENS or IFT can help manage chronic pain.
Weight Management
If overweight, even a 5–10% weight loss can reduce knee load drastically.
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Take A proper rest or ice pack , And electro therapy, With pain killer if have sever pain.
And Do the proper Excercise
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Physiotherapy includes electro therapy and exercise therapy.
If you take right electro therapy with correct exercises under proper guidance you can be without pain.
Meanwhile you have to check with your blood calcium and vit d level.
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Dr. Shivani Taywade (PT)
Physiotherapist
5 yrs exp
Bangalore
If you have grade 3 chondromalacia patella, it means thereâs a lot of wear and tear in the cartilage under your kneecap, and some of it is damaged all the way down to the bone. Right now, thereâs no regular treatment that will make the cartilage grow back completely to how it was before.
But that doesnât mean you canât feel much better. Many people with this level of knee damage are able to manage their pain and get back to doing most of the things they enjoy, if they take good care of their knee. Sometimes, you might still have to avoid certain activities or take it easy in some ways.
Next Steps
So here are 3 options: 1. Regular Treatment (No Surgery):Doing physical therapy to strengthen your thigh and hip muscles, keeping a healthy weight, changing how you do certain activities, and using pain-relief methods 2. Injections: Sometimes, if pain sticks around, doctors can give special injections like platelet-rich plasma (PRP), prolotherapy, or hyaluronic acid (gel shots) to help ease pain and improve how your knee feels. 3. Surgery: Surgery is usually only considered if other treatments donât work or if the pain is really bad and makes daily life hard. Surgery can help with symptoms, but it doesnât make the cartilage grow back to normal.
Health Tips
With the right care, most peopleâeven those with more serious cartilage damageâcan get back to doing most things and have little pain. However, cartilage doesnât heal all the way by itself, and only experimental treatments are trying to fix it completely.
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Dr. Jacob Roshan Mathew (PT)
Physiotherapist
21 yrs exp
Bangalore
Surgical intervention could be debridement which is clearing out affected tissue...unless there are other issues which would also be addressed.
This could increase chances of being bone on bone quicker (my opinion)
And then 6 to 12 weeks of physiotherapy after. (Usual rehab times)
You need to see a Sports Physiotherapist who could help
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Dr. Tarun Sharma (PT)
Physiotherapist
3 yrs exp
New Delhi
yes we can treat this condition some time different types of Treatment for pain relief
Frist think right diagnosis and think about treatment not only single physiotherapy some time give different types of Treatment for pain' rilef Thank you
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Dr. Pallavi Mishra (PT)
Physiotherapist
4 yrs exp
New Delhi
Hi, since it's grade 3, 100 percent healing is not really possible. what we can do is get a good rehab done so that we can avoid maximum loading on knee cap. strength training, stability in long run is a way out. give at least 6 months to a good physic who focuses on your exercise therapy.
Next Steps
Consult an Ortho for further understanding.
Health Tips
avoid low height sitting, cross leg sitting, walking on unstable surface, wear knee cap.
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Ms. Shefali Gandotra (PT)
Physiotherapist
20 yrs exp
Jammu
You need physiotherapy ( exercise therapy as well as electro therapy) .
Next Steps
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Dr. Mohd Salman (PT)
Physiotherapist
3 yrs exp
Gurgaon
Hi, thank you for your question.
Grade 3 chondromalacia indicates significant cartilage damage, and it’s understandable that you’re still experiencing pain despite physiotherapy.
While full 100% healing may not always be possible with conservative (non-surgical) treatment, many people do experience significant relief and improvement in function with the right combination of:
• Consistent physiotherapy
• Muscle strengthening (especially quadriceps and hip muscles)
• Activity modification
• Weight management (if applicable)
• Use of supportive aids like knee braces
• Anti-inflammatory measures (e.g., ice, medication as advised)
Some patients can manage symptoms very well long-term without surgery. However, if pain persists or worsens, consulting an orthopedic specialist for further imaging (like MRI) and evaluation might be necessary.
It’s great that you’re staying active with physiotherapy—continue focusing on strengthening and joint protection. Recovery can be slow, but with patience and consistency, improvement is definitely possible.
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