Abstract: [Objective] To compare the clinical efficacy of low-frequency electrical stimulation (LFES) versus dispersive extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) for patellar chondromalacia. [Methods] From February 2021 to June 2022, 78 patients received non-surgical treatment for patellar chondromalacia. On the basis of routine exercise therapy, 39 patients received LFES, while the remaining 39 received ESWT. The treatment period and follow-up data were compared between the two groups. [Results] All patients in both groups had the corre- sponding therapies completed without obvious complications. Although there were no significant differences in the frequency of treatment, time interval, adverse reactions and VAS scores for treatment tolerance between the two groups (P＞0.05), the ESWT group proved significant- ly better than the LFES group in term of VAS score for treatment satisfaction [(6.5±1.0) vs (5.8±1.1), P＜0.05]. As time went during the followup period lasted for more than 6 months, the VAS scores for anterior knee pain significantly reduced (P＜0.05), whereas the Kujala score sig- nificantly increased in both groups (P＜0.05). The ESWT group proved significantly superior to the LFES group in terms of VAS score for an- terior knee pain [(0.8±0.8) vs (1.3±1.0), P＜0.05] and Kujala score [(85.8±9.9) vs (70.7±9.4), P＜0.05] 6 months after treatment. [Conclusion] The ESWT combined with exercise therapy does significantly relieve anterior knee pain, improve knee movement ability and improve longterm curative effect for patellar chondromalacia.