Recurrent dislocation of patella following lateral retinacular release. A case report.

A case is presented with several total dislocations of patella after an operative lateral retinacular release for chondromalacia patellae. The patient, a 27-year-old woman, had no history of preoperative luxations or subluxations. She had, however, a Q-angle of 20 degrees--a fact that may have been significant in the pathogenesis.