Q: I am a 25 years old male who feels uncomfortable while walking and having pain for the last one year. I consulted many doctors. The first doctor advised muscle relaxant for 2 weeks, but that was ineffective. Another doctor asked me to take Glucosamine for 2 months but that too did not help. I consulted another doctor who asked me to undergo MRI, which showed that everything was normal. He suggested to take inflammatory tablets for two months and suspected that there might be a middle plycar syndrome. Another doctor suggested blood tests and found that ASO level in the blood was 240 and the normal is 200. He told me that it was due to throat infection and gave antibiotics for 15 days. Sometimes I feel that someone is pulling my leg while walking.

A:Looking at your age and your symptoms and a normal MRI you probably have Chondromalacia Patella. Chondromalacia patella is the softening and degeneration of the tissue (cartilage) underneath the kneecap (patella). Symptoms of the are as follows:

• A grating or grinding sensation when the knee is extended.
• Knee pain in the front of the knee that worsens after sitting for a long period of time.
• Knee pain that worsens with using stairs or getting out of a chair
• Knee tenderness

Treatment for this condition is temporarily resting the knee and taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin may help relieve pain. Physical therapy, especially quadriceps strengthening and hamstring stretching, may be helpful.

Limit participation in sports or strenuous activity until the pain has gone away. Avoid activities that increase the knee pain, such as deep knee bends, until the pain improves.