Diagnostic arthroscopy and longitudinal open lateral release: a safe and effective treatment for "chondromalacia patella".

Lateral release is a reliable component of any surgical treatment of patellofemoral dysfunction or "chondromalacia patella," good to excellent results in approximately 80% of cases having been reported by numerous investigators. This study confirms the efficacy of the procedure and highlights the features of the open technique as compared with the arthroscopic method. We advocate diagnostic arthroscopy for complete evaluation of the joint. Particular attention is drawn to the anatomic structures that must be divided and the care taken to secure hemostasis to optimize results. Since no correlation was found between the severity of chondromalacia and the final results, this study casts doubt on the value of shaving the rough articular surface.