title: Clinical prognosticators for the efficacy of retinacular release surgery to treat patellofemoral pain.
abstract: The purpose of this prospective study was to identify clinical, pathologic, and roentgenographic factors that might serve as prognosticators for acceptable results after a lateral retinacular release for treatment of patellofemoral pain unresponsive to conservative measures. Fifty-two knees in 45 patients were studied. The data indicated that acceptable results can be expected in patients who have a negative mal-loose sign (no evidence of patellar malalignment or hyperlaxity) or a positive Sage sign (tight lateral parapatellar soft-tissue structures). Poorer results are predictable in patients with patellar hypermobility.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Sports Medicine Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19104.
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Gecha
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Torg
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D010329:Patella / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies