Historical Perspectives of Chondromalacia Patellae

Widespread misuse of the term chondromalacia has led to confusion regarding its true meaning. This term should not be used to diagnose patellofemoral pain, but to describe lesions of articular cartilage. Recent advances using stereophotogrammetry to evaluate the patellofemoral joint and its articular cartilage may lead to new insight into the etiology of these lesions.