The outside-in subcutaneous arthroscopically assisted lateral retinacular release: a new technique

Abstract

Arthroscopic lateral retinacular release in the knee has been used extensively for the treatment of patellar pain and instability. The release can be performed using a number of techniques, but achieving access to the retinaculum can often be difficult, particularly in obese patients. We describe a simple modification of an arthroscopically assisted method, which utilises electrosurgery through a subcutanous channel to perform an outside-in release.