The Lateral Patellar Hiperpresion Syndrome (LPHS) is a common cause of pain at knee level. Many surgical approaches have been used, Open, Arthroscopical and Percutaneous, being this last the less frequently reported in the literature. In this study we report on 21 percutaneous liberation of lateral retinaculum using the Smillie meniscus knife on 14 patients with LPHS between 1985 and 1996. Nine were females (64%) and 5 males (36%), with an age ranging from 15 to 30 years with a mean age of 21.5 years. In" 19 of the 21 knees (90,5%) we obtained satisfactory results (good or very good) and 2 knees (95%) with unsatisfactory results fair or bad. The follow-up ranged from 6 months to 5 years. We conclude that the percutaneous release of lateral retinaculum with the Smillie knife offers good results in the treatment of LPHS.

The Lateral Patellar Hiperpresion Syndrome (LPHS) is a common cause of pain at knee level. Many surgical approaches have been used, Open, Arthroscopical and Percutaneous, being this last the less frequently reported in the literature. In this study we report on 21 percutaneous liberation of lateral retinaculum using the Smillie meniscus knife on 14 patients with LPHS between 1985 and 1996. Nine were females (64%) and 5 males (36%), with an age ranging from 15 to 30 years with a mean age of 21.5 years. In" 19 of the 21 knees (90,5%) we obtained satisfactory results (good or very good) and 2 knees (95%) with unsatisfactory results fair or bad. The follow-up ranged from 6 months to 5 years. We conclude that the percutaneous release of lateral retinaculum with the Smillie knife offers good results in the treatment of LPHS.