[The relative elongated patellar ligament after identation of the lateral retinacula (author's transl)].

The treatment of the lateralisation of the patella can be done by lateral indentation of the retinaculum patellae (method of Viernstein). Caused by the medialisation of the patella eventually the patellar ligament can be realtively elongated. This leads to insufficiency of the extensors and therefore to prearthrosis of the knee joint. To avoid this and to conserve the sportive ability we recommend the displacement of the tuberositas tibiae to medial and distal.