chon·dro·ma·la·cia 
(kŏn′drō-mə-lāshə)
(kŏn′drō-mə-lāshə)n.
Abnormal softening or degeneration of cartilage of the joints, especially of the knee.
[CHONDRO- + Greek malakiā, softness (from malakos, soft; see mel-1 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots).]