Medicine:Lateral release (surgery)

Lateral release
Specialty	orthopedic

A lateral release is a surgical procedure to release tight capsular structures (lateral retinaculum) on the outer aspect (lateral aspect) of the kneecap (patella). This is usually performed because of knee pain related to the kneecap being pulled over to the outer (lateral) side and not being able to run properly in the centre of the groove of the femur bone as the knee bends and straightens. The procedure is also known as a 'lateral retinacular release'.

Amongst experienced knee surgeons with a special interest in diseases of the patellofemoral articulation, isolated lateral release is rarely performed. Strong consensus was found that isolated lateral release should not be undertaken without prior planning in the form of objective clinical indications and preoperative informed consent.

References

1. "Long-term results of lateral retinacular release". Arthroscopy 21 (5): 526–31. May 2005. doi:10.1016/j.arthro.2005.01.007. PMID 15891716. 
2. "Comparison of lateral release versus lateral release with medial soft-tissue realignment for the treatment of recurrent patellar instability: a systematic review". Arthroscopy 23 (5): 463–8. May 2007. doi:10.1016/j.arthro.2007.01.007. PMID 17478275. 
3. "The role of lateral retinacular release in the treatment of patellar instability". Sports Med Arthrosc 15 (2): 57–60. Jun 2007. doi:10.1097/JSA.0b013e318042af30. PMID 17505318. 
4. "Long-term functional outcome after lateral patellar retinacular release in adolescents: an observational cohort study with minimum 5-year follow-up". J Pediatr Orthop 28 (1): 118–23. Jan–Feb 2008. doi:10.1097/bpo.0b013e31815b4dcf. PMID 18157056. 
5. "Lateral retinacular release: a survey of the International Patellofemoral Study Group.". Arthroscopy 20 (5): 463–8. May 2004. doi:10.1016/j.arthro.2004.03.002. PMID 15122135.