Chondromalacia Patella

[Sh3]

I have been diagnosed with Chondromalacia Patella and referred for Physiotherapy. Unfortuntely the waiting list is around a year long and the pain is becoming excruciating. I am taking Ibuprofen but I am unable to rest for long.

What else can I do?

Also, I can move my kneecaps around without even touching them! Is that normal?

[Nunkie]

I was diagnosed with chondromalacia patella as a sixteen year old, 13 years ago. I find that swimming helps enormously as well as slow, steady walking. Initially, I found even climbing stairs to be difficult and used a walking stick and knee supports while waiting for my swimming to have an impact. Since then, I swim 5 times a week, for half an hour and that seems to help. It generally flares up with pain in winter, when I get lazy and don't swim as much, and when it is cold.

[SickbutEmpowered]

According to what I read rest, and physical therapy are the main treatments along with NSAIDs for pain and inflammation. I don't understand why it is going to take a whole year to get into physical therapy? Perhaps you need to call a different place..unless where you are located you do not have access to this type of choice. Perhaps then researching this "runner's knee" or chondromalacia patella and seeing what others say might be a good start. I read that swimming was good for this to keep your body strong and to protect the knee. Maybe looking into physical therapy type exercises online and checking out water therapy would be your best bet then if you have to wait that long. In a year, what good will it do that far from now? Get better soon