Having a knee arthroscopy with query total release, what is total release?

Lateral release?: Total release? I'm assuming you meant lateral release. This is a procedure that is performed infrequently to address abnormal patellar (knee cap) tilt. If your pain is around your knee cap and your orthopedist is convinced that you have abnormally knee cap tilt then a lateral release may be helpful. But you must exhaust nonsurgical treatments especially therapy before considering this surgery.

A total release: I believe there was some misunderstanding or communication; the wording most likely was "lateral release" which involves incising (cutting) the lateral retinaculum of the knee which may relieve the pressure at the outer (lateral) aspect of the patella. This may improve patellar tracking and lessen anterior knee pain.