Patellofemoral syndrome is one in the same as "Chondromalacia Patella". Chrondromalacia itself, is a different diagnosis and refers to softening (malacia) of the chrondral surfaces or cartilage.
Chondromalacia Patella is a recurrent injury to the subpatellar surface leading to chondromalacia of the subpatellar cartilage, causing knee pain at the "knee cap". The injury's set up by repetitive force trauma (running) in the setting of genu varum (uh, too hard to explain, but basically a bending of the knee, looking front to back, medially toward the crotch :eek: ), excess foot pronation (ankle of angle during foot weighting), femoral anteversion (forget it), and tibial torsion (axial torque applied during max load). Typically affected by patellar instability/laxity, excess tightness of the lateral retinaculum, & weakness of the vastus medialis--all of which can be taken care of with a good bout of physical therapy.
The bottom line? Runner's knee.
Treatment?: Self limited, months to years, but responds very well to correction of the above stated risk factors via PHYSICAL THERAPY. Most people have a hard time "complying" with the exercise regime, and it just gets worse. :(
But, if you really want to know what it is, an Orthopedist is a better source of info. Why aren't there any here? Oh yeah, they're bone doctors, and you know what, you can actually break your bones riding a motorcycle. :confused: So you're not gonna see one here.
Llllooooooossserrrrrsssss!! :p
I'm a Nephrologist, damnit, why can't somebody ask me about glomerulonephritis or dialysis? I guess there's a chance you could lose both kidneys in a major PW50 endo....hmmm.....:think