Endoscopic lateral retinacular release: a preliminary report.

Thirty-nine knees with lateral subluxation syndrome of the patellofemoral joint were analyzed after 18 months of follow-up examinations. Based on subjective criteria, the results of lateral release by endoscopic technique compared favorably with other methods of treatment of patellofemoral malalignment. Excellent ratings based on the complete absence of symptoms and return to full activity were obtained in 19 knees (48.7%). Thirteen knees (33.3%) were improved with a subjective rating of 6.8 on a scale of ten; seven knees (18.0%) were rated poor with no improvement in symptoms or levels of physical activity.