The lateral release is performed as anarthroscopic knee surgeryand can be performed as an outpatient.
In some people, the kneecap is abnormally pulled towards the outside of its groove.
When the kneecap does not slide well within the groove, cartilage irritation and pain can result.
Jo Zixuan Zhou / Verywell
When this happens, the patella begins to tilt laterally and places abnormal pressure on the joint.
Lateral release is a minimally invasive surgery used to correct an excessive patellar tilt.
The surgery is usually performed arthroscopically (with “keyhole” incisions) to minimize complications and speed healing.
Indications
A lateral release is successful when performed in the right patient.
For most people, a tight lateral retinaculum can be successfully treated with nonsurgical stretching and rehabilitation.
These may involve opensurgical techniquessuch as ligament reconstruction, bone realignment, and others.
Other complications include infection and scar tissue formation.
Even then, a lateral release surgery is not a guarantee of pain relief.
Anyone considering the surgery should only do so after consultation with an orthopedic surgeon.
In many cases, conservative treatment is the more appropriate approach.
A Word From Verywell
A lateral release has the reputation of being an unpredictable surgery.
However, the problem lies less with the surgery and more with the selection of the right patients.
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