[Open lateral release of the patella combined with knife arthroscopy in the treatment of chondromalacia patellae].

Open lateral release of the patella, combined with knife arthroscopy was carried out unilaterally in 47 patients with chondromalacia patella, who had received systematic conservative treatments and not responded on it before this surgical procedure. The result of 18-month follow-up period showed that the excellent and good results were in more than 80% of the all patients. The authors felt that this procedure had the advantages of less traumatic damages, less complications, short period of the operation and hospitalization and rapid rehabilitation. In the paper it was also discussed on the significance of the lateral release for the treatment of chondromalacia patellae, its indications and the operation technique as well as the worth of the meanwhile performed knife arthroscopy in the treatment.