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Chondromalacia patella is commonly referred to as "Runner’s Knee.” Young athletes, typically runners, generally suffer from chondromalacia, which is a common cause of kneecap pain or anterior knee pain. This injury also happens often to injured workers and others who have been hurt in an accident. It is also more common in men than in women.

Chondromalacia is due to an irritation of the undersurface of the kneecap, or patella. The patella is covered with a layer of smooth cartilage which is supposed to glide effortlessly across the knee during bending of the joint. However, in some individuals, the kneecap tends to rub against one side of the knee joint, and the cartilage surface becomes irritated, resulting in anterior knee pain.

Treatment for chondromalacia

Most people can undergo effective treatment by resting the knee and following a physical therapy program. Allowing the inflammation of chondromalacia to pass is the first step of treatment. Avoiding physical activities that irritate the knee for several weeks, followed by a gradual return to activity is important. After a resting period, a physical therapy program focusing on the strengthening and flexibility of the quadriceps and hamstring muscle groups should take place. Medication can also be helpful to reduce pain and swelling. In most cases surgery is not needed because it can be cured by the appropriate therapy; however, in such advanced cases surgery might be an option.

If you developed chondromalacia from the work that you do or from an injury either at work or someplace else

You may be entitled to worker’s compensation if you developed chondromalacia because of the work that you do or because of an injury that occurred while you were at work. Worker’s compensation is a benefit program in Illinois designed to compensate injured workers for medical expenses and other costs. An experienced worker’s compensation attorney will listen to your situation and advise you as to whether you may be entitled to worker’s compensation. If you are, the attorney will work with you through the process.

If an injury outside of work from someone else’s negligence caused your chondromalacia, you may consider filing a personal injury lawsuit to compensate for medical expenses and lost wages, among other things. An experienced personal injury attorney will be able to assess your situation and your chances of success in filing such a lawsuit.

Should I hire a lawyer?

That depends on your individual case but a consultation should never cost you anything. During a free consultation, you and your potential attorney will discuss your matter, the attorney will likely you questions to get a better sense of some of the legal issues at stake and also answer any questions you may have.

Depending on your matter, we know attorneys in your area who will be a good fit for your case – from worker’s compensation to personal injury to medical malpractice to many other areas. Call us. We are free and we are confidential. We can help you find an attorney who is the right fit for you and your case. We don’t promise a result, but we do guarantee that you will get to speak to one of our lawyers and will receive an honest recommendation to a firm that is independent of us.