The Effectiveness of the Lateral Retinacular Release on Decreasing Pain and Increasing Stability in the Patellofemoral Joint

The lateral retinacular release is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures used to treat patellofemoral pain and instability. The purpose of this pilot study is to provide insight into the effectiveness of the lateral retinacular release for decreasing patellofemoral pain with activity and increasing knee stability. A survey \vas sent to 21 patients who had undergone the LRR that addressed the following issues: reason for surgery, stability and pain following surgery, return to prior activities, and the presence of physical therapy before and after surgery. The results from this pilot study identified the following areas of concem: a 27.2% rate of red is location, 45.5% hadn\u27t returned to their previous activity level, and a statistical difference \vas found between pain ratings at rest and with activity. These findings suggest a need for future research into this area, including a successful presurgical evaluation that would identify patients likely to experience good surgical outcomes