Lateral release???

[hshoup]

My name is Heather and I am a 31 year old female. I never had knee pain before 3 months ago and then my left knee started acting up after a workout all of a sudden. I had a THREE opinions on my knee and finally found an orthopedic surgeon that seems on the right track with my problem. He was the first doctor that was able to notice on exam and through x-ray that I have a negative patellar tilt. It is very slight in my right knee but worse in my left knee which is probably why I have been having pain problems in the left. It must have been the heavy sqautting that I was doing in my workouts. Anyway, he stated that the patellar tilt is causing lateral compression syndrome and, although he did not say this, I am assuming it may be why I have grade III chondrosis in the medial aspect of the patella as well. He said through examination with my leg fully extended that he could almost get his thrumb up under the medial side but the lateral side feels pretty tight. His treatment plan that I have just started is to throw the guantlet at it to avoid surgery. I had a cortisone shot, am supposed to wear a PTO brace for 8 weeks, and I am supposed to go through physical therapy 2-3 times a week for 8 weeks. After the 8 weeks, I have an follow-up appointment with the doc. Since I have been dealing with this for over two months and rest is not helping, he wants to try these three things and if they don't work, consider lateral release. The reason I am writing you is because I read your website and saw that this procedure does not always help and sometimes can make things worse and I am afraid of that. If the above treatment plan does not work, would you suggest lateral release as the last resort? I read some articles online and it seems to work best with people with patellar tilt and no instability. I do not think I have instability but I am not sure how to tell. Does this sound like a good plan? Does anyone have experience with this???

[Heidi]

Hi

I think that your Dr is right. Try to avoid surgery by following this rehab plan. But, after 3 months, if there is no improvement at all, surgery is probably the way to go. However, this depends on your personal circumstances. If you are very active and the pain is limiting your lifestyle then surgery should definately be considered.

I'm afraid I don't know much about the procedure or the success rates.

Just make sure that you put everything in to your rehab program. Your aims should be to improve flexibility in the entire limb, especially the lateral stuctures such as IT band and outer quads. Strengthening the medial (inner) knee (VMO): http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/front/knee/vmo.php
Strengthen the outer hip muscles - Glut medius particularly. If exercises are painful initially try a taping technique.

[danmon_81]

Hi, 1st time on this forum:

Think very, very carefully about a lateral release...i had one 5 or so years ago and it hasnt helped, if anything its caused me more pain.

Im 27 now and my knees terrible. I had a recent consultation with a specialist who's passed me onto another soft tissue specialist. he 'suggested' that a laterial release wasnt the best choice.

Im a fit lad and get on with stuff...ignoring my painful knee.... my knees ruined my rugby career and stips me doing alot.

I'd see it as a very last resort.


if you have any questions i'll happily answer them. good luck.

Dan