• Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.60-65
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• 2004

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of limited vastus lateralis release for treatment of painful bipartite patella. Materials and Methods: From Jan. 1995 to Jun. 2002, we performed limited lateral retinacular release in 14 patients(16 cases) for treatment of painful bipartite patella. All patients were men and mean age was 22.3 years old. The opeative techique was that insertion of the vastus lateralis to the painful patellar fragment is detached subperiosteally. We evaluated the clinical results by degree of pain and level of activity. Also we analyzed the radiologic findings by measuring fragment tilting angle and gap between fragments. The mean follow up period was 14 months. Results: At final follow up, all of the patients showed pain relief and can be returned to more than recreational sports activity after the operation. On radiologic findings, fragment tilting angle and gap between fragments were reduced at statistically significant level. Conclusion: The limited lateral retinacular release for treatment of painful bipartite patella is one of good methods which is less invasive and shows good results in clinical and radiologic findings.