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The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (American) 85:1909-1913 (2003)
© 2003 The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Inc.

Scientific Article

Mesh Expansion Release of the Lateral Patellar Retinaculum During Total Knee Arthroplasty

William L. Healy, MD, Richard Iorio, MD and Paul Warren, MD

Investigation performed at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Lahey Clinic Medical Center, Burlington, Massachusetts

William L. Healy, MD
Richard Iorio, MD
Paul Warren, MD
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Lahey Clinic Medical Center, 41 Mall Road, Burlington, MA 01805

The authors did not receive grants or outside funding in support of their research or preparation of this manuscript. They did not receive payments or other benefits or a commitment or agreement to provide such benefits from a commercial entity. No commercial entity paid or directed, or agreed to pay or direct, any benefits to any research fund, foundation, educational institution, or other charitable or nonprofit organization with which the authors are affiliated or associated.

Background: Release of the lateral patellar retinaculum can be used to treat patellofemoral instability and to balance the extensor mechanism during knee replacement operations. However, conventional lateral release disrupts the integrity of the lateral knee capsule, may damage the blood supply to the patella, and is associated with several other potential complications. Mesh expansion release of the lateral patellar retinaculum was developed to achieve the goal of lateral release and to reduce the potential for postoperative morbidity.

Methods: Thirteen consecutive knees in eleven patients were treated with mesh expansion lateral release during a total knee arthroplasty and were evaluated after a minimum duration of follow-up of two years. The mesh release technique consisted of multiple, longitudinal, parallel 5 to 10-mm stab incisions to mesh and expand the lateral patellar retinaculum and thereby medialize the patella in the trochlear groove of the femoral implant.

Results: Mesh expansion lateral release balanced the extensor mechanism in each knee, maintained the mechanical integrity of the lateral capsule, and avoided disruption of the lateral genicular blood supply to the patella. After a minimum duration of follow-up of two years, no complications had been noted in association with mesh expansion lateral release.

Conclusion: Mesh expansion release of the lateral patellar retinaculum effectively balanced the patellofemoral joint during total knee arthroplasty, maintained the integrity of the lateral capsule, and preserved the lateral genicular blood supply.

Level of Evidence: Therapeutic study, Level IV (case series [no, or historical, control group]). See instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.


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Related articles in JBJS:

Mesh Expansion Release of the Lateral Patellar Retinaculum During Total Knee Arthroplasty
William L. Healy, Richard Iorio, and Paul Warren
JBJS 2004 86: 193-200. [Abstract] [Full Text]