Study Summary

140 patients undergoing medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction for recurrent patellofemoral instability were randomized and analyzed. Patients were randomized to receive either medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction combined with arthroscopic lateral retinacular release (MPFL+LRR) or isolated medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction (MPFL) alone. After exclusions for unplanned bony procedures or graft substitution (3 patients), loss to follow-up (9 patients), and medical discontinuation (3 patients), 125 patients were included in the final analysis, with 61 patients in the MPFL+LRR group and 64 patients in the isolated MPFL group. The primary outcome of interest was the subjective International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score at 24 months. Secondary outcomes included patellar tilt with the quadriceps relaxed and contracted and complication rates. Outcomes were assessed at a minimum of 24 months. Overall, the results of the study revealed that routine lateral retinacular release did not improve patient-reported outcomes or patellar tilt compared with isolated medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction.