Tactile Guided Lateral Patellar Release | Clinical Trial

Key information

Conditions

Lateral Patellar Compression Syndrome Cartilage Diseases Chondromalacia Patellae Connective Tissue Diseases Fractures, Bone Joint Diseases Joint Dislocations Knee Fractures Knee Injuries Leg Injuries Musculoskeletal Diseases Patella Alta Patella Chondromalacia Patella Dislocation Recurrent Patella Dysplasia Patella Fracture Patella Position Patella Subluxation Patellar (or Kneecap) Instability and Mal-alignment Patellar Crepitus Patellar Dislocation Patellar Femoral Syndrome Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases Wounds and Injuries

Age range

16 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

About this study

Under short-acting general anesthesia, the patient lies supine. The surgeon palpates to identify the lateral border of the patella; typically, the surgeon's left thumb is placed at the midpoint of this lateral edge. Using a No. 11 scalpel blade, an incision is made parallel to the lateral border of the patella-approximately 5 mm away-extending through the skin, subcutaneous layers, and lateral retinaculum, and penetrating the knee's synovial membrane to enter the joint space. This creates a small "keyhole" opening suitable for knee arthroscopy, with the sharp edge of the blade initially oriented toward the patient's head.

The tip of the blade is then angled inward into the joint to incise the lateral retinaculum superiorly, without enlarging the initial skin puncture.

The blade is then rotated 180 degrees so that its sharp edge faces toward the patient's feet. The inferior portion is incised by angling the blade inward through the subcutaneous layers, lateral retinaculum, and synovial membrane into the joint, while maintaining the original shape and size of the skin puncture without enlargement.

A sterile dressing and a compression bandage are then applied, and the patient is encouraged to begin early mobilization.

Comparison of Clinical Success Rates Surgical Goal Isolated Release Release + Realignment Stability Success ~77.3% ~93.6% Recurrence Rate Higher (odds ~0.29) Lower (odds ~0.06)

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Retropatellar Pain
Lateral Patellar Pain

Exclusion criteria

Knee Arthritis grade 4
Totally Knee Arthritis

Treatment and study plan

Percutaneous lateral retinacular release of the patella

Procedure

The lateral edge of the patella is identified by the surgeon's finger and the lateral ligament incision is performed with a blade through the skin.

Primary outcomes

Less open surgery trauma

Time frame: [Time Frame: 3 minutes to 5 minutes,]

Directly going to the goal lesion with less expansion

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Issa, Abdulhamid Sayed, M.D.

Indiv

Registry information

Acronym: TGLPR

Important dates

Study start: 2014
Primary completion: 2025
Study completion: 2026
First posted: Jun 9, 2026
Registry last updated: Jun 9, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

Completed