[Definition of patellar chondropathy and patellar chondromalacia]

In the course of a review of the literature the definition, etiology, diagnosis and treatment of the disease entities chondropathy and patellar chondromalacia are compared. Without exception, the descriptions found are inconsistent and inaccurate. A new classification--chondromalacia, patellar and peripatellar syndrome--is proposed. Possible causes of these diseases in the subchrondral vascular system are mentioned explicitly ("patellar migraine", "patellar claudication").