Patella osteochondropathy is a cartilage disease that affects the back of the kneecap (patella). If the knee joints are affected by chondropathy, articular cartilage usually exhibits degenerative disorders.
Mostly chondropathy affects young women and girls. If the boys have chondropathy of the patella, then it is usually diagnosed during puberty. In most cases, the disease affects both knees of the patient.
Symptoms of chondropathy include pain in the affected joint, which can be felt, for example, when the patient gets up after a long sitting or goes down the stairs.
Causes
Typical pain occurs when, in addition to changes in the cartilage, the knee is subjected to overloads, for example, during sudden stopping movements of the knee that occur while running.
In addition to overload, there are other factors that can cause chondropathy of the patella, such as malfunctioning of the ligaments on the knee joint, improper position of the patella, or damaged thigh muscles. Injuries or accidents involving one or both knees can also lead to chondropathy of the patella.
Typical symptoms and signs
In most cases, osteochondropathy is characterized by a positive course, and, therefore, it does not cause serious damage or complications. Treatment is not necessary, because in many cases the disease can be cured by itself.
Chondropathy patients suffer from severe knee pain. Especially under stress, the pain can be very severe and, therefore, lead to movement restrictions. In some cases, patients may need help with walking.
Even at night, this can cause pain, which negatively affects the quality of sleep, and therefore can lead to irritability or other mental health problems, or depression. However, life expectancy remains unchanged for patients. In children, chondropathy can lead to restriction or retardation of growth and development.
Diagnosis
To diagnose chondropathy of the patella, the attending physician usually first talks with the patient to get information about the symptoms and their course.
A diagnosis can be made, for example, using procedures such as x-rays, magnetic resonance imaging, or, less commonly, specular reflection of joints. In most cases, the course of patella chondropathy is favorable: after a few weeks, the symptoms cease to bother the patient.
Complications do not occur with chondropathy of the patella. As a rule, the disease passes quickly and no medical intervention is required.
The main symptoms are manifested mainly when walking, but can also be disturbing in a calm state. Everyday life is limited by pain. The patient is not able to lead an active lifestyle. Pain can occur at night, so the disease is accompanied by sleep disturbance and increased irritability. More complaints usually do not occur.
With a long course of the disease, patients develop mental abnormalities and depression. Treatment occurs with the help of physiotherapy. Various exercises are performed with the patient, which relieve discomfort and protect joints.
With osteochondropathy in children, heavy exertion or exercise should be avoided. Severe pain is eliminated with painkillers. Only in very serious cases, surgery is performed. Even after treatment, a person is limited in his daily life and should avoid heavy physical exertion. Further complications do not arise.
When should I go to the doctor?
Patients with knee pain and other typical signs of patella chondropathy are advised to consult a doctor. If cartilage disease is not treated, then further complaints may appear, such as night pain at rest - at the latest, then you should consult your doctor. In case of poor muscle tension, it is best to consult a chiropractor or orthopedist. Patients who have ever had chondropathy should consult their healthcare provider if symptoms of the disease reappear.
Complications
Periodic symptoms can lead to prolonged osteoarthritis of the patella and should therefore be clarified. First of all, people who regularly perform exercises on their knees or otherwise overload the tendons of the patella are at risk. Even with existing disorders of the muscles and ligaments in the knee joint and with an incorrect location of the patella, there is an increased risk of developing cartilage disease. Patients who suffer from pain after an accident should, at best, speak with their healthcare provider immediately.
Prevention
Osteochondropathy in children can only be prevented conditionally. Nevertheless, the risk of developing chondropathy of the patella can be reduced. To do this, it is recommended to avoid excessive loads on the knee joints. Active athletes who already have minor joint problems are advised, as a possible precaution against chondropathy of the patella, to stabilize the affected joint, protect it and avoid playing sports with a high risk of falls.
Treatment
In most cases, it is possible to conduct adequate treatment of osteochondropathy in children of the calcaneus and knee using conservative (non-surgical) methods. The main focus of the treatment of chondropathic patella is physiotherapeutic measures. They, among other things, are aimed at strengthening the anterior muscles of the thigh.
In addition, doctors recommend protecting the sore knee with patella. This can be achieved, for example, by applying stabilizing dressings and avoiding movements that load the knees too much (squats, etc.).
If osteochondropathy in children is successfully cured, then, according to experts, it may be useful not to overload the affected knee for a longer period of time. For example, sports enthusiasts may resort to compensatory sports, such as cycling or swimming, which protect the knee joints. For women with chondropathy, a temporary waiver of high-heeled shoes may be helpful.
Aftercare
The process of recovery with osteochondropathy of the knee joint in children is positively influenced by constant care. However, conservative therapy is expected to have a regeneration phase of up to six months. As part of the subsequent treatment, the doctor recommends targeted physiotherapy. After a detailed briefing with a professional, patients can perform exercises at home. At the recovery stage, knee overload should be avoided.
This means that intense sports and climbing stairs for a certain period of time with osteochondropathy of the tibia in children is prohibited. Depending on the severity of the condition, the doctor prescribes anti-inflammatory drugs. Based on their group, they can be drunk as a course, or one tablet in order to relieve pain. Patients may also wear bandages on the knee joint to avoid stress.
Children with osteochondropathy of the foot or knee should not feel insecure. The main thing is to stick to the program until the end. In general, the healing process does not bring discomfort. This also applies to time after surgical treatment. It is important for patients to reduce their activity. It starts with careful walking, slow swimming and cycling. Excessive squats should be avoided from the start. They will negatively affect the condition of the diseased joint. The main thing in therapy is to adhere to the recommendations of the attending physician.