What Is Chondromalacia Patella and How Can Chiropractic Help?
One of the most common reasons why people seek the care of a health care professional is pain. Pain comes in many shapes and forms, and you may suffer from knee pain. Knee pain can hurt your quality of life, and that is why you need to reach out to a professional who can help you. One possible cause of knee pain is chondromalacia patella. What is this condition, and how can a chiropractor help you? Take a look at a few important points below, and do not hesitate to reach out to ask for help when you need it.
What Is Chondromalacia Patella?
Chondromalacia patella takes place when the tissue on the underside of the kneecap begins to soften. Your kneecap is important for protecting a critical juncture between your femur, tibia, and fibula. Your kneecap also has a layer of cartilage underneath that prevents it from rubbing against the bones.
If you develop chondromalacia patella, the cartilage underneath the kneecap becomes soft. As a result, your knee may start to grind together, particularly when you flex your leg. Even though you might feel like you need reconstructive surgery to repair the cartilage, that is not always the case. A chiropractor may be able to help you stay out of the operating room while assisting you with the recovery process.
What Are the Symptoms?
Similar to other causes of knee pain, symptoms come in many shapes and forms. Some of the most common symptoms include:
- You may feel a dull, aching pain behind your kneecap.
- The pain generally gets better when you stop moving your knee, but it will get worse if you flex your knee, as it will force the bones to rub against each other.
- If you bend over, you may also feel pain on the side of your knee cap.
- You may have extreme difficulty walking up a hill or climbing stairs because of the discomfort.
- If you use the knee too much, you may start to develop swelling in the area.
Chondromalacia patella can severely limit your range of motion and mobility. Therefore, you should reach out to a chiropractor who can help you.
How Can a Chiropractor Help You?
A chiropractor has a variety of treatment options at his or her disposal. First, a chiropractor will take a look at the need to make sure that each of the individual bones is in proper alignment.
Then, a chiropractor may be able to use manual therapy to increase the space between your kneecap, your femur, your tibia, and your fibula. Manual therapy can take some pressure off the kneecap, reducing your discomfort.
Furthermore, a chiropractor may teach you how to do stretches and exercises that can strengthen the muscles supporting the kneecap. With extra support, you may not feel as much pain and discomfort. A chiropractor can put you in a position to recover while limiting possible complications.
Call a Chiropractor for Help With Chondromalacia Patella
In the end, knee pain comes in many shapes and forms. If you believe you have chondromalacia patella, you need to reach out to a chiropractor who can help you. Too often, people immediately jump to surgical procedures. This may not be necessary, so always reach out to a chiropractor to make sure you talk about all of your treatment options.
A chiropractor may be able to use manual therapy that can restore your functionality, mobility, and range of motion. That way, you can put yourself in the best position possible to recover while also limiting possible complications and side effects. If you don’t have a local chiropractor, give us a call. We’re here to help!