Complications and Pitfalls in Lateral Retinacular Release

Abstract

This chapter discusses arthroscopy’s most complication-fraught procedure—the lateral retinacular release. In 1970, Willner1 described the use of an isolated lateral retinacular release for recurrent patellar dislocation, and this was subsequently followed by a report by Merchant and Mercer2 in 1974. Since then, numerous methods of lateral retinacular release have been proposed, including open, closed, percutaneous, arthroscopic, and combined open/arthroscopic. Results with this procedure, given the proper indications, have been good, ranging from 14% to 100%,2–22 with two-thirds of the studies reporting more than 70% satisfactory results. Much of the confusion in the literature about results following lateral retinacular release arises from the different indications for release used, and the criteria used for a successful result. No matter how it is performed, the success of a lateral release depends more on proper patient selection than on technique.23