AIR is an abbreviation for 'anterior interval release'.
Page updated April 2024 by Dr Sheila Strover (Clinical Editor)
Cleaning out scar tissue in the anterior interval with a radiofrequency 'wand'.
What is the anterior interval?
The anterior interval is a space between the back of the patellar tendon and the bony membrane covering the upper of the front of the tibia.
The patellar tendon is normally mobile in this area, but tissue adhesions can tether it down and cause painful limitation in range of motion.
Technique of Anterior Interval Release (AIR)
AIR is a surgical procedure to free adhesions under the patellar tendon in the 'anterior interval', usually via an incision on the side of the patellar tendon.
-
Quote from peer-reviewed paper:
"....Patients with anterior interval scarring often present with lack of terminal knee extension, anterior knee pain, decreased patellar mobility, and quadriceps atrophy...."
Citation: Rose M, McNeilan R, Genuario J, Schlegel T. Surgical Technique for Release of Anterior Interval Scarring of the Knee After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction. Arthrosc Tech. 2018 Aug 6;7(9):e887-e891. doi: 10.1016/j.eats.2018.04.016. PMID: 30258768; PMCID: PMC6153305.
Synonyms:
Anterior interval release
-