Patellofemoral complications following total knee arthroplasty. Effect of a lateral release and sacrifice of the superior lateral geniculate artery.

Between 1987 and 1989, 1,205 Anatomic Graduated Component (AGC, Biomet, Warsaw, IN) total knee arthroplasties were performed by three surgeons using the same prosthesis and same technique. Four hundred twenty-eight total knee arthroplasties (35%) had lateral releases; in 107 (75%) of these, the superior lateral geniculate artery was saved. Lateral release had no effect on patellar subluxation, dislocation, or loosening, but was associated with significantly more patellar fractures. Conversely, patellar radiolucency was more common in knees without a lateral release. Furthermore, saving the superior lateral geniculate artery during a lateral release had no effect on patellar dislocation, radiolucency, loosening, or fracture.