Patellofemoral syndrome

Patellofemoral syndrome, also called Chondromalacia, refers to softening or fissuring of the articular surface of the patellar joint. It is a common cause of anterior knee pain. The most common causes are cumulative trauma, traumatic dislocations of the patella, patellar malalignment, increased patellar compression (associated with obesity and/or weight lifting), and osteoarthritis. 

Pathogenesis: 

Patellofemoral syndrome is thought to occur via two mechanisms. One is a malalignment of the patella; the other is a repetitive microtrauma due to overuse of the patellofemoral joint, such as running or jumping. These two mechanisms first can lead to inflammation in the joint. After repetitive stress/injury degenerative changes on the articular surface of the patellar joint and on the femoral sulcus develop. Other predisposing factors include: quadriceps and hamstrings muscles and iliotibial band tightness, relative weakness of the quadriceps muscles, femoral anteversion, genu valgum, genu recurvatum, or excessive foot pronation.