chondromalacia [kon-droh-muh-ley-shuh, -shee-uh, -see-uh] Word Origin noun Pathology.
- degeneration of cartilage in the knee, usually caused by excessive wear between the patella and lower end of the femur.
Origin of chondromalacia chondro- + malacia Also called runner’s knee. chondromalacia in Medicine chondromalacia [kŏn′drō-mə-lā′shə] n.
- Abnormal softening or degeneration of cartilage of the joints, especially of the knee.