Chondromalacia Patellae-MRI

Case report: 38 years old patient presence with anterior knee pain exaggerated on climbing stairs. MRI shows mild cartilage irregularity, subchondral edematous focus with mild patella alta position with suprapatellar plica with anterior prepatellar soft tissue edema with femoropatellar in-congruence – suggests chondromalacia patellae.

Teaching points by Dr MGK Murthy & Mr Hamid:

1)     Defined as softening / degeneration of the articular hyaline cartilage. Presence with anterior knee pain on climbing / prolonged squating.

2)     Can present in isolation / incombination with other degenerative findings.   Young adults particularly females are likely involved

3) MRI shows typical subchondral edematous foci with femoropatellar incongruence.   Synovial plica may be associated.  More common in patella alta position.