Lateral patellar retinaculum

Looks like

A fibrous sheet on the outer side of the kneecap, joining it to the outer thigh band and shinbone.

What it does

Holds the kneecap in its groove.

Keeping it well

When too tight, it tilts the kneecap and can cause front knee pain.

Related conditions

• ACL & meniscus injury
• Baker's (popliteal) cyst
• Chronic venous insufficiency
• Growing pains
• Juvenile idiopathic arthritis
• Lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis)
• Lymphoedema
• Pseudogout (calcium pyrophosphate disease)
• Reactive arthritis
• Restless legs syndrome
• Septic arthritis
• Varicose veins