Daughter's knee popped and she fell

My daughter was playing basketball. She has chrondramalacia patella in her right knee, has just completed 3 months of therapy and is wearing a knee brace.

Last night during play her knee "popped" and she fell to the ground - she says that when that happens, she can't support her weight. She said her knee was feeling better lately and now she's in a lot of pain again. Is this part of the her condition or is that abnormal?

OS believes this will end in surgery, but my daughter is only 14. Does this type of surgery require completed growth or is she too young?

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Daughter's knee popped and she fell

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Dec 09, 2008
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chondromalacia patella
by: Bart - SII

Chondromalacia patella is a softening of the cartilage on the undersurface of the patella - it is usually caused by patella femoral syndrome or other abnormal stress in the knee. Popping with pain is a common symptom.

At her age, conservative treatment that focuses on the biomechanics of her lower extremity, hip mobility and strength, and proper core conditioning should help with the condition. Did she do much along the lines of hip or core strengthening in her last round of rehabilitation?

Surgery may be an option, but at 14, you obviously want to try to avoid that if you can. Depending on what they would do surgically, it likely wouldn't require closed growth plates. My guess is a lateral release would be the suggestion for surgery, however, I would be hesitant to go with that before undergoing a rehab program that addresses possible hip and core problems.

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Bart