Treatment of chondromalacia patellae by lateral retinacular release of the patella.

A series of 59 knees in 58 patients were surgically treated from 1977 to 1982 for chondromalacia patellae, and were followed for an average of 1.2 to 4.6 years after the operation. The operative procedure was open lateral retinacular release in all knees. In knees with recurrent patellar subluxation, the number of poor results increased from 24% to 70%, and in knees with no subluxation from 21% to 24%. The difference after 4.6 years was statistically significant. No correlation between the severity or location of the cartilage changes and the operative effect was found. Open lateral retinacular release is an acceptable treatment of chondromalacia patellae without subluxation of the patella, whereas in the presence of recurrent subluxation, the release does not correct the basic biomechanical disturbance.