A lateral release is a surgical procedure to release tight capsular structures (lateral retinaculum)

Lateral retinaculum

The lateral retinaculum is the fibrous tissue on the lateral side of the kneecap . The kneecap has both a medial and a lateral retinaculum, and these help to support the kneecap in its position in relation to the femur bone below it.The lateral retinaculum is an extension of the fibrous...

 on the outer aspect (lateral aspect) of the kneecap. This is usually performed because of knee pain related to the kneecap (patella) being pulled over to the outer (lateral) side and not being able to run properly in the centre of the groove of the femur bone as the knee bends and straightens. The procedure is also known as a 'lateral retinacular release'.

External links

• Proximal realignment procedures {Lateral release is one of several procedures known by the name of 'proximal realignment'}
• The KNEEguru - educational site packed with knee content with sections on lateral release