Chondrosis is a condition that impacts the cartilage, the flexible and soft tissue that layers the tips of the bones present in the joints. Cartilage offers cushioning to the bones and permits frictionless mobility. Chondrosis occurs when joint cartilage breaks or worsens due to an injury, excessive use, or aging. It may end in joint stiffness, inflammation, discomfort, and lesser mobility.
Chondrosis may affect each joint, as it is mostly found in the hands, lower back, neck, knees, and hips. These joints bear the most weight and pressure and are sensitive to wear and tear with time.
Symptoms of Chondroitin
The most usual symptom of chondrosis is a dull, discomforting pain in the anterior of your knee, back to your kneecap. This pain might get severe when you move up or down stairs. Moreover, it also can elevate after you are sitting in the same position for a long duration. For example, your knee might feel pain and stiffness when you rise after enjoying a movie or after a big trip in a plane or car.
Chondrosis also can cause your knee joint to become “catch” referring to you surprisingly having difficulty moving it over a certain limit, or “giving way” (buckle suddenly). These symptoms appear when you turn your knee continuously, particularly when you move downstairs. In a few cases, the painful knee might also become puffy or swollen.
Chondrosis can lead to a creaky voice or grinding feeling when you activate your knee. Since creaking voices during bending movements do not always mean that cartilage is injured.
What Causes Synchondrosis?
Various types of joint disorders and joint injuries can lead to chondrosis. In the knee, chondrosis is generally related to injury, excessive use of the knee, and badly aligned bones and muscles near the knee joint. These causes involve:
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trauma, particularly a fracture (break) or misalignment of the kneecap
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A disturbance of the muscles surrounding the knee (a few muscles are weaker as compared to others)
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overuse (continuous bending or turning) of the knee joint, particularly during sports
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Badly aligned bones or muscles near the knee joint
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Damages to a meniscus (C-like cartilage inner to the knee joint)
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Osteoarthritis of rheumatoid arthritis
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an infection in the knee joint
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Continuous instances of bleeding inside the knee joint
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Continuous injections of steroid medicines into the knee.
Chondrosis of the knee impacts young adults more as compared to any other age group. It is particularly common in joggers, runners, soccer players, skiers, cyclists, and related athletes who repeatedly pressurize their knees. Also, individuals who invest a lot of time kneeling — especially carpet layers, floor layers, and tile setters— are more sensitive to developing this problem.
Treating Chondrosis
Your doctor possibly will suggest nonsurgical treatments first. These involve:
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applying ice following exercise and as required for pain or inflammation
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Using a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen, to eliminate your knee pain and relieve any swelling
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Having other painkillers, like acetaminophen, might also eliminate pain
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Following an exercise plan to strengthen the muscles surrounding your knee
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Ignoring high-impact activities
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Ignoring all kneeling and squatting
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Applying knee tape, a special patellar-tracking sleeve, or a brace to keep your kneecap in the proper position.
A physical therapist might be particularly helpful to safely facilitate patients through these procedures.
Surgical Treatment For Chondrosis
If nonsurgical treatments are unsuccessful, or if you feel severe symptoms, your knee pain doctor in Dallas may suggest arthroscopy to find out if the cartilage is damaged inside your knee. If the cartilage is shredded or softened, damaged parts can be removed by the surgery, giving healthy cartilage in alignment. If necessary, your healthcare provider also can correct the position of your kneecap or related parts of your knee to facilitate the reduction in wear and tear on your knee cartilage.
Other surgical options include:
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open lateral retinacular release or arthroscopy: This includes surgically aligning a tilt in the kneecap. Experts can do it as a keyhole or open surgery.
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Patellar realignment: Experts will correct the kneecap if it has slipped out of its actual position.
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Patellectomy: This process can be total or partial, meaning a doctor may eliminate all or a portion of the kneecap. They might replace it using a prosthetic kneecap. Expert healthcare surgeons may only suggest this procedure for individuals with well-functioning quadriceps and those exercising regularly following the surgery.
Preventing Chondrosis
You might be capable of decreasing your risk of chondrosis by avoiding knee injuries and excessive use of your knee joints. To achieve this:
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Stretch and Warm up before you perform any athletic activities.
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Do Physical activities to strengthen the leg muscles surrounding your knee, particularly the thigh muscles called the quadriceps.
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Elevate the intensity of your training plan gradually. Never compel yourself too much, too fast.
When to Call a Professional
Contact your doctor at pain management in Dallas in case you have knee pain that may not disappear or if your knee gives away, catches, or looks inflamed and puffy.
