LAUSR

Medial collateral ligament release (MCLr) is an adjunct technique in arthroscopic knee surgery involving controlled MCL lengthening to increase intra-articular space. The aim is to prevent uncontrolled MCL and articular surface damage. Multiple reported techniques include percutaneous, arthroscopic and subperiosteal stripping. However, no consensus or standardization exists. While MCLr is generally considered safe, potential risks include pain at the site of percutaneous release, residual valgus laxity, injury to the saphenous nerve, chondral surfaces and MCL rupture. We designed a survey to better understand Australian orthopaedic surgeons’ practice, rates of use and knowledge of the procedure. We focused on three groups to identify knowledge gaps – subspecialist knee surgeons, other surgeons, and accredited registrars.