Lateral release

This is done to improve the fit of the patellar in the groove of the underlying femur bone in cases of 'patellar tilt'.

		The procure of lateral release is nowadays usually performed arthroscopically.
The patella is supported on both sides by the fibrous retinacula, the most important of which is the lateral retinaculum.	In the procedure of lateral release, the retinaculum is cut on the lateral (outer) side of the knee.

Synonyms:

Lateral retinacular release

Lateral release – still being done for the wrong reasons?

Lateral release continues to be a controversial procedure, particularly if the surgeon is not a patellofemoral specialist.

Realigning the patella in the proper axis by surgical procedures above the patella.

Article about the anatomy of the lateral retinaculum of the knee, and indications for lateral release surgery.

An 'interpretation' of a 2008 medical publications of the anatomical structure of the lateral retinaculum as found in cadaver dissections.

CLINICAL PUBLICATIONS

Lateral patellar retinacular release: changes over the last ten years. da Fonseca LPRM, Kawatake EH and de Castro Pochini A. Rev Bras Ortop. 2017 Jun-Jul; 52(4): 442–449.