A STUDY ON THE CAUSATIVE FACTORS INDUCING CHONDROMALACIA PATELLAE

Chondromalacia patellae (CMP) is a common musculoskeletal condition marked by the degeneration and softening of cartilage behind the kneecap, causing anterior knee pain. It is highly prevalent, especially in young to middle-aged adults, and is twice as common in women. This narrative systematic review aimed to synthesize current evidence on CMP's pathophysiology, clinical symptoms, and prevalence. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect yielded 20 peer-reviewed studies published between 2021 and 2025, focusing on human subjects and clinical, biomechanical, and anatomical aspects of CMP. A qualitative synthesis was used to identify key themes and clinical implications. The findings indicated a strong correlation between CMP and anatomical abnormalities such as the Insall-Salvati index and trochlear sulcus angle. Meniscopathy frequently coexists with CMP in active individuals, suggesting shared causes. Patients often display altered gait biomechanics, such as decreased knee flexion and uneven loading, as well as aberrant isokinetic parameters, which show muscle weakness and imbalances. High-impact activities and sports injuries dramatically raise the prevalence of CMP in students. The multifactorial nature of CMP, influenced by structural, biomechanical, and functional factors, highlights the importance of early detection and intervention. Future research should prioritize longitudinal studies to understand disease progression and long-term treatment effectiveness, and subgroup analyses to tailor interventions based on dominant etiological factors.