"high grade sprain mcl" "high grade chondromalacia in median ridge of patella". What does this mean?

I am a 33 year old female who fell 3 weeks ago and landed on my knee. I had an MRI done last week and the results state "High-grade sprain medial collateral ligament. Marrow edema of likely contusion seen posterior lateral femoral condyle. High-grade chondromalacia is seen in the median ridge of the patella. Small joint effusion." I saw an orthopedic surgeon today and start pt Wednesday. When I asked about the chondromalacia he said it was nothing to worry about. So, I let it go. When I came home I decided to look chondromalacia up....and b/c of it being grade 4...I am now worried....Does anyone know if I should be worried?...Is this something that will require surgery?...Will it ever heal?...Will I ever resume my previous very active lifestyle? Help!!!

Chondromalacia is also commonly known as Patellar Femoral Disfunction, Patellar Femoral Syndrome, and Anterior Knee Pain. It is basically just when the back of your patella *knee cap* gets inflamed. It can be treated by streching your quads every day for 4-5 sets of 30 seconds each, Stretching your hamstrings for 4-5 sets of 30 seconds every day, Streching your Illial Tibial Band for 4-5 sets of 30 seconds every day, also getting on a quad/hamstring/itb strengthening program at the gym would be good. Make sure you DO NOT do leg extensions, there is to much force directed on your knee when you do those. Also you should find out from a peditrist to see if you pronate or not. If so he would give you arch supports and probally have you get better shoes.

First and foremost remember that a MRI is a tool to help a physician. It is a series of black and white images read by a radiologist. In some series fluid is white, other series fluid is dark. In other words - there is a lot of 'doctor to doctor' talk in the report. Be careful not to over-read a report! The test is done just to back up your ortho's physical exam. For example, the key to diagnosising a MCL injury is your ortho's stressing of it. The actual picture on a MRI is not very conclusive where as ACL' & PCL's show up very well.

The radiologist who dictates a MRI report never actually sees your knee. Thus he or she will comment on any possible thing that could be seen. Trust your orthopedic surgeon to interpet the report and match it to your actual exam.

Chondromalacia is a roughing or irritation of the back side of your kneecap. We all have some degree due to normal wear and tear. Severe chondromalacia is not accurately diagnosed by a MRI - only by long-term problems an actually looking at it during arthroscopic surgery. Since you fell only 3 weeks ago, you irritated the back of your knee cap. It is a very sensative area. A 'bone bruise' is a MRI term that sounds more impressive than saying you bruised your knee.

In summary, trust your ortho and don't panic.