Cartilage damage may also be a result of a direct trauma to the knee for the patients who alleged to have been subjected to torture. Although the relation between trauma and chondromalacia patella has been explicitly described in the literature, the relation to torture has not been reported previously. Aim of this study is to show that patients with a history of torture may develop chondromalacia patella.
From 2002 to 2012, chondromalacia patella was diagnosed in 23 torture survivors among 2901 patients who were subjected to torture according to the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey’s Treatment and Rehabilitation Centers’ reports. 10 patients who were diagnosed chondromalacia patella that their complaints started right after the torture. The relation between trauma and chondramalacia patella was evaluated in the light of their story, physical and radiological findings.
Time since torture changed between 5 months and 9 years. Torture methods in their story were direct trauma on the knee by kicking, hitting with truncheon, jumping on the knee or waiting/dragging on the knee constantly. Typical complaints were anterior knee pain. Chondromalacia patella grading were evaluated and relation between torture methods and diagnose was discussed. Chondromalacia patella should be kept in mind in torture survivors if who has complaints and symptoms.
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