Severe knee pain from chondromalacia

I am a 45 yr old female, and have been active most of my life. I have grade 3-4 chondromalacia. This is most likely not,(primarily) due to the injuries I've had over the last 2 yrs, bcz I have also been diagnosed with osteoporosis, and osteoarthritis. I had a fracture of the tibia plateau, when I was knocked off my porch by trick or treaters on 10/31/08, and my knee landed on a rock. I wore a brace, and had no PT, and very little rest. In Feb. 2010, I slipped in the snow, (I had no control when my knee gave out.) It was really messed up this time, and the tibia broke again, I also broke my knee cap. I had arthoscopy to repair and to remove the floating debris from my knee cap. I did over 3 months of PT, but continued to have pain, and limited movement of my knee. So I did alot of swimming, walking in the pool. and excersizes given to my by my PT. Still painfull, I was given a cortizone shot, which felt extremely weird, and maybe helped a bit, but only for a week or two.
I was sent back for another MRI, which not only showed the chondomalacia, but a few other problems, which I'll describe below. Prior to this, the doctor made mention of a partial knee replacement. I go back the doc later this week, and have done some research, but am not much clearer on what to do now. Below are some of the findings on my recent MRI. ANY HELP/INFO WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED!
Thank you.

1.)There is degenerative signal in both menisci with findings suspicious for a horizontal tear involving the body of the lateral meniscus which extends to its free edge, as well as a possible small longitudinal tear involving the posterior horn of the medial meniscus. However, the patient has a history of previous arthroscopic surgery, thus making it impossible to differentiate between a new tear and scarring and fibrosus within a surgically repaired tear. If clinically warranted, an MR arthrogram may be helpful in more
accurately characterizing the menisci.
2.) Grade 3 to 4 chondromalacia of the patella which appears most pronounced along the medial facet and median ridge of the patella.
3. There is localized depression and deformity of the lateral tibial plateau centrally with associated irregularity of the overlying cartilage. This may represent the sequela of previous trauma given its appearance and location.
4. There is an approximately 1.5 to 2 cm localized area of cortical irregularity and subchondral bone marrow edema along the lateral aspect of the lateral femoral condyle suggesting a possible acute bone injury versus chronic sequela of arthritis or previous injury.
5. Very small joint effusion with mild edema and distortion of the infrapatellar fat pad which most likely represents the sequela of previous surgery given its appearance and location.
ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED! THANK YOU

Hey all

My name is Kent Talley and I am not a doctor ! I am like everyone here, I have the same problems as all I have read on this thread. I am 36 now..my knee problem started when I was 25. I was a police officer since the age of 18. I was very much a sports freak, basket ball, football baseball name it I played it. One day after a softball game I felt a grinding in my knee, under the knee cap to be more accurate. I didn't really think anything of it and "walked it off". It the pain really didn't start to hit me untill I started to put alot of pressure on my knees like kneeling or stairs ( both invented by the devil him self !! ). I went to the doctor and he took xrays that showed nothing. He sent me home with anti inflamatories. Another 2 months goes by and wow its getting bad now so I find a "Specialest" He sees me feels the grinding and says my knees are real bad. I asked what I had to do to fix them..he told me "They will be better when you die !" I have since had over 25 different procedures and still no help. I had the lateral release in both knees, no help. I had the injections of the joint stuff..had that done two times in both knees and no help. I had the shaveing of the lineing done 4 times on each knee. I had the heat gun treatment on the knee cap and still no help. I am now 36, No longer a cop and need both knees replaced but doctors don't want to do that now. I am 6'9" 350lbs and can only get it done once, the current tech only lasts 10 years and the doctors don't like don't the replaceemnts in people my age....So like you I am waiting for hope...I am now a stay at home father of 2 and now handicapped. Only good thing is the parking ! As far as pain how I deal with it is pot. I am not sure how the forum will feel about this but its the only thing that works for me. Here is how it works for me....It does have a natural anti-inflamitories in the plant. It really doesn't kill the pain? It more makes you forget about it...I still feel everything, every little snap crack and pop, every burner, but......I don't dwell on it. I still do my house work, cook and clean, change my daughters diapers. It just helps me cope...I have taken all sorts of pain killers name it I have taken it...Pot is the only thing that keeps me from killiing my self. We moved from Mi to Spokane just because of the Medical MJ program. Now I am not condoneing doing something iligal but I am answering questions on what I do for my pain...and I feel for those of you all that have what we have.

Not everyone can deal with pain on an everyday basis, how it just depresses you, no hope feelings...I am there with all of you so keep up the faith ! My email is: Kent@kltcustoms.com if you need to talk or vent or whatever.

I was ten (1984) when I started having pain in my right knee. I was told by a doctor that it was juvenile arthritis and it should get better as I grew up. I wore a knee brace when I had to play school sports but was still in serve pain. In 1989 I spent three weeks on crutches because then pain and swelling had gotten that bad I couldn't walk on it. It was embarrasing because a teacher had to carry me up the stairs at high school. Towards the end of 1989 I saw another doctor and he had told me it was chrondomalacia patella and told me to have physio therapy. I did that for 6 months, twice a week. It did nothing at all. In 2003 I spent another 3 months on crutches for the same reason. I decided to seek a second opinion. By this time my left knee started having the same pain. I went back to physio again. That didn't work. I asked him about surgery, the answer was no. What am I supposed to do? I have a daughter to look after and I have a business to run. I was told to live with it. I am now 33 years old and in serve pain everyday. I have lived with this condition for over 15 years and still nothing can be done. I can tolerate most pain, god knows I gave birth, but this pain is unbelievable. I have no cartlidge left behind my right knee cap and only half on my left, I have bone against bone. It doesn't matter what I do I always have pain. All I can do is take painkillers. I am pleased to hear that there is other people out there that have been told the same thing that I have.

I have found this site by accident and google has done my proud again! I feel like i have found a place where I can be finally understood and i am not the only one to have knee pain.

Nearly 3 years ago both knees began agony-I could not walk, never mind the gym, swimming or cycling that i did. I was told it my knees would be ok- they were taped up and i was signed off work.

Three years on, after a MRI which showed nothing wrong, an OS who was very sceptical and neg Xrays. My doc thinks it is all in my head and the depression is held at bay my determination that i know there is something wrong. I cannot walk far without pain, i cannot go up stairs without pain, and coming down is even worse. Even kneeling or squatingis difficult. My days of mountain climbing are over meantime. Oh did i mention i am only 29!

Recently i have been told that i have chondromalacia patellae and this is due to my flat feet, overpronation, big hips-basically my biomechanics. I have been wearing orthopedic inserts in my shoes for two years, however they have not improved the situation.

I am now beginning a programme of core stability work as i dont appear to have the control over my hobs and abs that i should have. Pilates classes are really good and i can feel them working my muscles.

It is hard to fight the constant criticism from others that there is nothing really wrong with me. I want to have my life back and be able to do my fitness again.

Has anyone improved to the extent that they can do what they used to do without pain?

I also have been told I have chondromalacia. I was a professional jazz dancer for 15 years and later taught ballet and Jazz. Since 2003 I have not been able to dance, teach or lately even walk very good. I go though times, like now, when it will snap (sharp pain) and I have no control when it happens. It has gotten locked in a straight position before after a snap. (very painful). Has this ever happened to you? Other than that, I have tried cortisone injections(helped the swelling, but not the snapping) I found that doctors dont seem to care very much. Most hardly will stay in the room with you over two seconds. They say nothing I can do. And I am 54 and its seems that replacement surgerys they want you to be older.

Do you have a good doctor? I have a weight room in my home and riding a bike(one thing I can do) and leg lifts and other weights make me feel better. I use to get up in the morning and go to my ballet class then the gym for step class and later teach 3 or 4 classes. I do understand. Just keep believing and positive and something will come along.

HI..I READ YOUR POST...and although its years ago ..i could totally relate to your post.
how are you doing?
ive been struggling in pain for 2 1/2 years now from chondromalacia and pfs.
nothing has helped.
i went from an active person who could walk miles like nothing...dance the night away...
to feeling agony just walking a block!
going up and down stairs...i look like 100 years old.
its so depressing..nobody understands the level of PAIN..AND I CAN TAKE ALOT OF PAIN!
i was always the person who never took novacaine at the dentist..
but with this chondromalacia....i am desperate for any pain relief.
i have a life which does not allow for much rest...
which i think would truly help if i had that option to rest it alot..
but i dont.
worst part is..i feel so very limited to what i can do...and i really think most people
dont have a clue.
STARTING WITH THE DOCS AND THE PHYSICAL THERAPISTS.
i went for p/t for a year...and when i kept telling him..i felt the same..it made no difference..
i think he thought i was just a complainer/ whiner..
WHICH I AM NOT!
it is ok as long as im sitting or lying down...except maybe then it is throbbing..
but once im up ..standing and walking....OUCH..
THE STABBING PAINS BEGIN.
anyone can relate..
please respond.
will this ever go away?
i had one cortisone shot two years ago..
did nothing.
mri showed thinning of cartilage but overall...everything is fine..
very mild early stage arthritis.
even the OS seemed confused by whats causing the pain.
rheumatologist said its bursitis.
i think its all of the above.
Chondro..
PFS..AND BURSITIS/ TENDONITIS.
one thing triggered the other.
oh..and by the way..
my first symptoms were excruciating pain in both knees when squatting or trying to squat or kneel
feels like something in my legs are being torn.
any feedback ...appreciated.
giving up hope..
tessaluv

thanks. ..i know you here UNDERSTAND.