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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Large Dents Behind The Knee 2 Years After Patella Damage And Inability To Walk At Times?

Hey, I completely shattered my patella over two years ago and am still having problems with it, it becomes so unbearable at times that I cant move my leg what so ever. So my boyfriend looked at my knee and the back has major dents like larger than ordinary knee dents. So I was curious to know if you had any advice?
posted on Wed, 25 Sep 2013
Twitter Mon, 20 Jan 2014 Answered on
Twitter Wed, 22 Jan 2014 Last reviewed on
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Orthopaedic Surgeon,  's  Response
Hi there.

As per your symptoms you are probably suffering from Chondromalacia Patellae.
This is damage to the cartilage covering of the patella where is touches the thigh bone (femur).
You might have sustained it while you fractured your patella .......and though the bone has united.....the cartilage damage would have progressed.

The dents at the back of the knee are probably due to muscles wasting of the back muscles of the thigh (hamstrings) due to disuse atrophy from the fracture.
This also is a cause of Chondromalacia as it causes muscle imbalance of front and back thigh muscles.

Kindly get an X ray and MRI of knee done. Get it evaluated by an orthopedician.

Treatment :
1. High dose calcium and vitamin D supplements.
2. A proper quadriceps & hamstring strengthening and stretching programme . Learn it from a physiotherapist.
3. Etodolac tablets for pain and inflammation. Etodolac also has cartilage protective action.

Further treatment will depend on test results.

I hope my advice has helped.
Good luck
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Rheumatologist,  Dr. Dr. Shruti Rijhwani's  Response
Dear Madam,

You will need to see an orthopedician for this because examination will be important in this.

Dr. Shruti
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What Causes Large Dents Behind The Knee 2 Years After Patella Damage And Inability To Walk At Times?

Hi there. As per your symptoms you are probably suffering from Chondromalacia Patellae. This is damage to the cartilage covering of the patella where is touches the thigh bone (femur). You might have sustained it while you fractured your patella .......and though the bone has united.....the cartilage damage would have progressed. The dents at the back of the knee are probably due to muscles wasting of the back muscles of the thigh (hamstrings) due to disuse atrophy from the fracture. This also is a cause of Chondromalacia as it causes muscle imbalance of front and back thigh muscles. Kindly get an X ray and MRI of knee done. Get it evaluated by an orthopedician. Treatment : 1. High dose calcium and vitamin D supplements. 2. A proper quadriceps & hamstring strengthening and stretching programme . Learn it from a physiotherapist. 3. Etodolac tablets for pain and inflammation. Etodolac also has cartilage protective action. Further treatment will depend on test results. I hope my advice has helped. Good luck