Arthroscopic lateral release for anterior knee pain: a study comparing patients who are claiming worker's compensation with those who are not.

The purpose of this retrospective study was to assess the outcome of arthroscopic lateral retinacular release comparing patients who are claiming worker's compensation with those who are not. Twenty-three consecutive patients with anterior knee pain caused by injuries on the job were matched with an equal number of patients with other kinds of injuries on the basis of age, sex, and medical history. A numeric scoring scale, physical examination, isokinetic strength analysis, performance in a one-leg hop test, and radiography of the knee formed the data base. Evaluation of the outcome was based on subjective and objective criteria developed from this data base. Results demonstrated that "compensation" patients had significantly poorer overall subjective outcome (50% good or excellent) compared with "noncompensation" controls (58% good or excellent). When objective criteria were applied, only 46% of patients in each group demonstrated a satisfactory outcome. Subjective variables and poor quadriceps function had a significant effect on final outcome. The extent of patellar cartilage pathology, radiographic incongruity, and closure of the release site demonstrated no effect on final outcome. "Compensation" patients with anterior knee pain were less likely to believe that they had improved following surgery when compared with control "noncompensation" patients.