Prognosis

Chondromalacia patellae generally resolves by the age of 30.

Depending on the case, recovery can occur in as little as a month or take years. Teenagers often achieve long-term recovery because their bones are still growing, and their symptoms generally ameliorate after reaching adulthood.

Reference

1. Mouzopoulos G, Borbon C, Siebold R. Patellar chondral defects: a review of a challenging entity. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2011 Dec;19(12):1990-2001.