[Results of isolated lateral retinaculum release as a treatment method in patello-femoral dysfunction]

The results of lateral retinaculum-release by arthroscopic, subcutaneous and open technique on 122 patients are presented. Within a follow-up period of 3.68 years in average the postoperative success rate was 56%. The results of surgery if the cartilage of the patella was unchanged--as well as with isolated medial or lateral chondromalacia--were good. If there was medial and lateral chondromalacia the isolated retinaculum-release is insufficient. The rate of postoperative complications (effusion, haemorrhage) by arthroscopic surgery technique is with 11.1% distinctly above the results by the subcutaneous technique, which amounts to a mere 3%. The 30 degrees degree-tangential x-ray technique combined with external rotation of the lower leg and simultaneous tension of the quadriceps gives much better information of the position of the patella than the 30 degrees degree x-ray without quadriceps tension.