NOTES - Surgical Procedures :
lateral release - - Posted by aclgator (aclgator), 23 January 2004
i appear to be a candidate for a lateral release surgery. I am 9 months post op acl/hamstring auto.
questions:
how long before i can resume normal activities?
walking with crutches
driving
walking full weight bearing
duration of pt and frequency
sports return
Thanks in advance for your help!!!!
Posted by Linds (Linds), 5 February 2004
Hey I don't know, if you will come back to read this answer but I am going to post to it anyhow. LR, a yes... this surgery was designed for me said my surgeon to my father today. I had a LR 22 months ago on my right knee, and going in to have the left knee done...in the near future. Everyone varies on the LR recovery as the procedure can be done a few different ways. HOwever, for me.. I was on crutches non weight bearing for 4 weeks, physio from two weeks post op 5 days a week for 8 weeks. I was then off to work at a summer camp for the summer and was running around with the kids and having a blast..with a knee that worked. HOWEVER... it didn't last, I had to take four months off in the fall and rest. I did too much too soon. I have been struggling long and hard since then. I am now seeing a chiropractor who is treating my scar tissue and I am starting to get that knee that works back again. 
I am now going to get the left one done too. This surgery has to be done for a specific reason. LAteral tilt of the patella caused by excesive lateral pressure from a Lateral Retinaculum that is too tight. It won't work if it is used for any other reason.
THis is a hard surgery to recover from as there is a lot of damage to the muscle and it takes along time to get that muscle back. Best bet is to get the muscles as strong as possible before surgyer.
I wish you good luck
HUGS
LInds
Updated Sat Nov 21 2009
