- Lateral release
A lateral release is a surgical procedure to release tight capsular structures (lateral retinaculum) on the outer aspect (lateral aspect) of the kneecap. This is usually performed because of knee pain related to the kneecap (patella) being pulled over to the outer (lateral) side and not being able to run properly in the centre of the groove of the femur bone as the knee bends and straightens. The procedure is also known as a 'lateral retinacular release'.
References
1. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15891716?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVAbstractPlus Panni AS, Tartarone M, Patricola A, Paxton EW, Fithian DC.] Long-term results of lateral retinacular release. Arthroscopy. 2005 May;21(5):526-31.
2. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17478275?ordinalpos=7&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum Ricchetti ET, Mehta S, Sennett BJ, Huffman GR.] Comparison of lateral release versus lateral release with medial soft-tissue realignment for the treatment of recurrent patellar instability: a systematic review. Arthroscopy. 2007 May;23(5):463-8.
3. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17505318?ordinalpos=6&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum Lattermann C, Toth J, Bach BR Jr.] The role of lateral retinacular release in the treatment of patellar instability.Sports Med Arthrosc. 2007 Jun;15(2):57-60.
4. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18157056?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum Gerbino PG, Zurakowski D, Soto R, Griffin E, Reig TS, Micheli LJ.] Long-Term Functional Outcome After Lateral Patellar Retinacular Release in Adolescents: An Observational Cohort Study With Minimum 5-Year Follow-Up. J Pediatr Orthop. 2008 January/February;28(1):118-123.
External links
* [http://www.dr-young.de/pages/c_2.htm Patellar Malalignment] {This is a simple image showing how the pain of a tight lateral retinaculum is produced and how the lateral release can relieve the problem}
* [http://www.kneeguru.co.uk/html/steps/step_05_patella/lat_release.html Proximal realignment procedures] {Lateral release is one of several procedures known by the name of 'proximal realignment'}
* [http://www.kneeguru.co.uk/KNEEnotes/node/895 The KNEEguru - educational site packed with knee content with sections on lateral release]
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