NOTES - Surgical Procedures :
Lateral release - - Posted by admin (The KNEEguru), 25 April 2003
Lateral release or lateral retinacular release is a technique to release abnormal tension on the outer aspect of the patella (kneecap) if it is too tight and pulling the kneecap into an abnormal position and preventing it from tracking properly:
http://www.ortho-u.net/o12/56.htm
The procedure can be done open under vision, open 'blind' or arthroscopically (via keyhole surgery). It is important not to extend the cut too far upwards ('proximally') as it can render the whole kneecap mechanism incompetent.
KNEEgur
Posted by Iona_-Uk (Iona), 28 April 2003
I've had 3 LR's & they've each been done by difference techniques.
1st one was the retinaculum was cut in a V shape by a cutter, this was very painful.
2nd one was cut horizonally with a cutter, this was so incredibly painful & left me with a haemarthrosis/
3rd LR was done by a laser cauterised which sealed the blood vessels as they were cut, this was by far the best, this was also cut in V.
I don't want to go too much into the politic of this as every way of doing a LR is different.
Iona
Posted by enuff81020 (enuff81020), 29 April 2003
Mine were both done arthroscopically, with a drain inplace during recovery.
The first was planned, the second was done as a result of what my OS found during the procedure.
Sylvia
Posted by Iona_-Uk (Iona), 2 May 2003
All mine were planned LR's with the last one being a "Last Resort" for the OS.
I
Posted by Squrll54 (Squrll54), 11 May 2003
I had surgury 2 days ago, it was done Arthroscopically, I had a lateral release and was told that some tissue from below my knee was removed, is this normal procedure? I also would like to ask if this will be a recurring problem in my future. I have been reading alot about it the past couple of days and I noticed that there are alot of people who had it done, and had to get it done several times.
Will I be in pain for a long time? Will the pain go away ever? How long will my recovery take? Please if you have any information for me let me know. Because I was hurt on the job and it seems the insurance company is trying to push me along. Thank you for your time
Updated Thu Apr 29 2010
