Chondromalacia Patellae. A prospective study.

In a prospective study of 105 arthrotomies for chondromalacia patellae, patella alta or an increased Q angle was found in most of the knees and was considered to be the usual cause of chondromalacia. The chondromalacia on the patella was usually centrally located with extension equally onto the medial and lateral facets. Femoral changes were uncommon. Patellar realignment together with excision of chondromalacic cartilage gave a satisfactory result in 79 per cent of the eighty-seven knees that could be followed.