OUR EXPERIENCE OF THE ARTHROSCOPIC RELEASE OF THE LATERAL RETINACULUM AT HABITUAL LUXATION OF THE PATELLA IN ADOLESCENT SPORTSMEN/WOMEN

Abstract

Aim: The aim was to prove the efficency of the arthroscopic release of retinaculum as minimally invasive and primary surgical method in treatment of lateral habitual luxation of patella in adolescents. Majority of the patiens were sportswomen and so it was required to have smaller scaring.

Materials and Methods: Between july 2003 and july 2007, we did the arthroscopic release of the lateral retinaculum in 24 children, (21, 3) aged between 12 and 18, on 28 knees. All of them were active in different sports, e.g. football, athletics, basketball, kickboxing. The indication was set after the second to twentieth pre-operative luxation depending on when the patient came for treatment to our clinic. Retinaculotomy was always done in fluid milieu, using spinal or endotracheal anesthesia depending on the age of the child. The average postoperative follow-up was 24 months.

Results: To compare our patients we made a table, which is filled in with queries preoperatively and postoperatively about the number of luxations and subluxations, pain, mobility, axial images of patella at 60°, patient’s satisfaction and sports activity. In 26 cases we cured the luxations, lowered the painfulness and 17 children returned to their previous sports activities. In 2 cases, after continuation of sports, the luxation occured again, so we had to use additional surgical Methods: Conclusion: With this method we achieved good results with smaller scaring if we did the lateral release earlier comparing to the number of luxations and if there was no hypoplasia of lateral condil of femur.