Don't be left behind. This is Darla's Chondromalacia report, written entirely in Darla-speak. A printer-friendly version is available. I'm not a doctor. Consult your doctor or sports medicine specialist if you are suffering from knee pain.
Articular cartilage is the flexible connecting tissue in a joint.
Articular patellar cartilage is located on the underside of the patella. Chondromalacia patella is a degenerative disorder of the articular cartilage lining the undersurface of the patella, in which the cartilage softens and wears away. The term osteoarthritis is typically used to describe chondromalacia patella in those over 30 years of age. Patella is just a fancy name for kneecap. Diagnosing Chondromalacia Chondromalacia generally starts out as a vague pain during or after exercising.