An arthroscopic method for lateral release of subluxating or dislocating patella

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Sports Medicine
• Arthroscopy

Background:

• Patellar instability, including subluxation and dislocation, affects numerous patients.
• Arthroscopic lateral release is a surgical technique to address patellar maltracking.
• Previous studies have evaluated various surgical interventions for patellar instability.

Observation:

• A review of 93 knees (79 patients) undergoing arthroscopic lateral release for patellar instability was conducted.
• Follow-up averaged 48.7 months, assessing both subjective patient reports and objective surgical outcomes.
• The study specifically excluded patellar shaving and focused solely on the lateral release procedure.

Findings:

• 92% of patients reported significant subjective improvement after the procedure.
• Objective assessments showed good or excellent results in 89% of males and 69% of females.
• No dislocations recurred in the 14 knees that initially presented with dislocation.
• Quadriceps muscle strength was identified as a critical factor for successful outcomes; weakness led to poorer results.
• The effectiveness of lateral release did not correlate with the severity of chondromalacia patellae.

Implications:

• Arthroscopic lateral release is an effective, minimally invasive outpatient procedure for selected patients with patellar instability.
• The technique offers a viable alternative to more extensive patellar realignment surgeries.
• Surgeons require experience in endoscopic techniques for successful implementation.
• Patient selection and motivation are crucial for achieving optimal results and minimizing complications.