Abstract

Etiology, diagnostics and the non operative treatment of chondropathia patellae are reviewed and discussed for their use in sports medicine. The etiology of chondropathy can be divided in primary chondromalacia, causal anatomic variations, traumata and miscellaneous factors. Chondropathy is basicly diagnosed by careful history and physical examination. At physical examination a non located pain, atrophy of the quadriceps-muscles and some hydrops can be found. Additional diagnostic methods are used to exclude other pathology. Treatment of chondropathy is based on etiologic conditions found at diagnostic evaluation. Only if a non operative therapy, which has been continued long enough and has been under (para)medical supervision, has not led to the desired effect an operative treatment could be considered. Verf.-Referat