Proximal tibial varus osteotomy for osteoarthritis of the lateral compartment of the knee

From 1960 through 1979, a closing-wedge varus osteotomy of the proximal part of the tibia was performed in thirty-one knees (twenty-eight patients) for painful osteoarthritis of the lateral compartment of the knee that was associated with a valgus deformity. The patients were followed for two to seventeen years (average, 9.4 years). Twenty-four knees (77 per cent) had either no pain or only occasional mild pain at the last evaluation. Six knees had moderate pain and one, severe pain. Six knees required a subsequent total knee arthroplasty at an average of 9.8 years after the osteotomy. No patient had an infection or non-union. Osteotomy of the proximal part of the tibia is a reasonable method of treating unicompartmental degenerative arthritis in a knee with a valgus deformity. Although some patients with as much as 20 degrees of anatomical valgus deformity obtained a good result in this series, osteotomy in the supracondylar region of the femur is probably preferable if the valgus angulation exceeds 12 degrees or if the tilt of the tibial articular surface that will result from the surgery will exceed 10 degrees. Correction beyond the normal 5 to 7 degrees of valgus angulation to zero degree of anatomical tibiofemoral alignment is recommended to prevent recurrence of the valgus deformity and to decrease the load on the lateral tibiofemoral compartment.     

Anatomical analysis of the femoral condyle in normal and osteoarthritic knees.

It is important to understand anatomical feature of the distal femoral condyle for treatment of osteoarthritic knees. Detailed measurement of the femoral condyle geometry, however, has not been available in osteoarthritic knees including valgus deformity. This study evaluated femoral condyle geometry in 30 normal knees, 30 osteoarthritic knees with varus deformity, and 30 osteoarthritic knees with valgus deformity using radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In radiographic analysis in the coronal plane, the femoral joint angle (lateral angle between the femoral anatomic axis and a tangent to femoral condyles) was 83.3 degrees in the normal knees, 83.8 degrees in the varus knees, and 80.7 degrees in the valgus knees. In MRI analysis in the axial plane, the posterior condylar tangent showed 6.4 degrees of internal rotation relative to the transepicondylar axis in the normal knees, 6.1 degrees in the varus knees, and 11.5 degrees in the valgus knees. These results suggested that there was no hypoplasia of the medial condyle in the varus knees, but the lateral condyle in the valgus knees was severely distorted. Surgeons should take this deformity of the lateral femoral condyle into account when total knee arthroplasty is performed for a valgus knee.     

Correction of knee deformity in patients with Ellis-van Creveld syndrome.

Six knees in three patients with Ellis-van Creveld syndrome were treated with lateral soft tissue release and corrective osteotomy of the tibia at 10 years of age on average. The main feature was valgus deformity with lateral dislocation of the patella. All patellae were reduced. The valgus deformity improved from 35 degrees (range, 48 degrees-20 degrees) to 17 degrees (range, 35 degrees-5 degrees) of the femorotibial angle (FTA) on average, although the FTA in five of six knees was < 5 degrees after surgery. There was one recurrent case and one transient peroneal nerve palsy. The reason for undercorrection was a depression of the lateral tibial plateau. The deformity of the articular surface is the most important problem in correcting the valgus deformity of the knee in this syndrome.     

High tibial valgus osteotomy for medial gonarthrosis: a 10- to 21-year study

This retrospective study reviewed the long-term experience with high tibial osteotomy and determined which factors influence the results. Between 1980 and 1989, 120 closing wedge high tibial osteotomies for varus gonarthrosis were performed in 102 patients. Twenty-nine knees were excluded because the patients died (17 knees), were bedridden (7 knees), or lost to follow-up (5 knees). Thirty of the remaining 91 knees had a conversion to total knee replacement (TKR) after 11 years on average, leaving 61 knees with a high tibial osteotomy available for clinical and radiographic evaluation at an average follow-up of 15 years (range: 10-21 years). Of the 91 knees, excellent/good results were found in 49% and fair/poor in 51%. Anatomical femorotibial angle in the 61 knees at follow-up averaged 4.7 degrees +/- 5 degrees of valgus (range: 3 degrees varus to 23 degrees valgus). Alignment obtained at consolidation changed with varus recurrence at follow-up in 14% of 61 knees and did not correlate with the clinical results. Twelve (19%) knees showed a patella baja (Caton ratio <0.6) at follow-up, which correlated with patients immobilized postoperatively by a cylinder cast (P=.04). A valgus alignment at consolidation between 8 degrees and 15 degrees, good muscle strength, and male gender correlated with better results (P<.05). Survivorship analysis, considering an unsatisfactory result or revision to TKR as the endpoint, was 96% at 5 years, 88% at 7 years, 78% at 10 years, and 57% at 15 years. High tibial osteotomy provides symptomatic relief for approximately 10 years, but is unlikely to provide permanent relief.     

Total knee arthroplasty after varus osteotomy of the distal part of the femur

BACKGROUND: There is little information in the literature regarding the outcome of total knee arthroplasty following distal femoral varus osteotomy. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the intermediate-term results of total knee arthroplasty following distal femoral varus osteotomy. METHODS: The study group consisted of nine consecutive patients (eleven knees) who had had a total knee arthroplasty following varus osteotomy of the distal part of the femur. The average age of the patients was forty-four years (range, fifteen to seventy years) at the time of the arthroplasty. The results were evaluated with use of the Knee Society score preoperatively and after a mean duration of follow-up of 5.1 years. Radiographs made preoperatively and at the time of follow-up were evaluated for alignment in the coronal plane. RESULTS: The mean Knee Society knee score was 35 points before the arthroplasty and 84 points after the arthroplasty. The mean Knee Society function score was 49 points before the arthroplasty and 68 points after the arthroplasty. The mean interval between the femoral osteotomy and the total knee replacement was fourteen years (range, two to thirty-two years). A constrained prosthesis was required in five of the eleven knees. Two knees had an excellent result, five had a good result, and four had a fair result. The mean arc of motion improved from 81.8 degrees to 105.9 degrees. The mean radiographic alignment was 3.6 degrees of valgus (range, 7 degrees of varus to 18 degrees of valgus) before the arthroplasty and 3.3 degrees of valgus (range, 1 degrees of valgus to 6 degrees of valgus) at the time of the latest follow-up. There were no infections or wound complications. CONCLUSION: Total knee arthroplasty following distal femoral varus osteotomy decreases pain and improves knee function, but the procedure is technically demanding and is associated with inferior results when compared with those of primary arthroplasty performed in a patient without a prior femoral osteotomy. In the present series, the use of an intramedullary femoral alignment guide increased the tendency to place the femoral component in relative varus angulation (that is, in <5 degrees of valgus). We recommend checking the alignment of the femoral component with an extramedullary guide in knees that have had a previous distal femoral varus osteotomy.     

Decrease of osteosclerosis in subchondral bone of medial compartmental osteoarthritic knee seven to nineteen years after high tibial valgus osteotomy

Osteosclerosis of the subchondral bone was measured by densitometer on plain radiographs in 55 medial compartmental osteoarthritic knees of 40 patients who were treated with high tibial valgus osteotomy for correction of varus deformity. The ratio of the osteosclerosis value of the medial side of the knee to that of the lateral side (Medial/Lateral ratio) was calculated and used as a parameter. The Medial/Lateral ratio of osteosclerosis decreased rapidly within three years after osteotomy at the reference points of the femur and the tibia. Even 7 to 19 years after osteotomy, a decrease of the ratio was noted in 16 knees with a standing femorotibial angle (FTA) less than 168 degrees (12 degrees of anatomical valgus angulation). This was interpreted to mean that osteosclerosis of the medial condyle decreased compared with that of the lateral condyle after overcorrection of varus deformity. In the cases of more than 7 years after high tibial osteotomy, a positive straight regression line was drawn by calculation between Medial/Lateral ratio and postoperative limb alignment expressed by standing femorotibial angle, with coefficient of correlation (gamma) of 0.295 (p < 0.01).     

Total knee replacement following high tibial osteotomy

There have been conflicting reports in the literature regarding the results of post high tibial osteotomy knee arthroplasty. This study aims to assess the clinical and radiological results as well as patient satisfaction following post high tibial osteotomy knee arthroplasty and to identify the variables affecting the results. A total of 29 cases of post osteotomy knee arthroplasties were retrospectively analyzed. Preoperative and postoperative range of movement and deformity were recorded with knee scores at latest follow-up. Weightbearing radiographs were taken preoperatively and at latest follow-up. Patients were asked if they were satisfied with their results. Average follow-up was 7.5 years with an average interval between osteotomy and knee arthroplasty of 4.7 years. Average age at osteotomy was 62.5 years. Seventeen patients had Maquet's dome osteotomy and 12 had closing wedge osteotomy. The average knee score was 117.4. Overall 5 (17.2%) patients had a poor result. There was a significantly greater pre-osteotomy subluxation (9 mm) in the failed knees compared to the successful arthroplasties (3.64 mm) with p = 0.033 using the Mann-Whitney U test. This has to be tempered by the fact that numbers were small. Failed arthroplasties had a valgus cut of the tibia (1.5 degrees) compared to either a neutral or slight varus cut in successful arthroplasties (average 2.42 degrees varus). Lateral translation of tibial tray was greater in the failed knees whereas posterior translation was greater in the successful knees. However, differences in tibial tray angle and translation were not statistically significant. Four (21.05%) cases went on to revision of their arthroplasty in less than 8 years, 2 for painful valgus instability. This study concludes that post high tibial osteotomy knee arthroplasty is a technically demanding operation with altered anatomy and significant balancing problems. Results of knee arthroplasty after high tibial osteotomy are inferior to that of primary arthroplasties and the amount of lateral subluxation prior to surgery may adversely affect results.     

Plantarflexion opening wedge medial cuneiform osteotomy for correction of fixed forefoot varus associated with flatfoot deformity

BACKGROUND: Flatfoot presents as a wide spectrum of foot deformities that include varying degrees of hindfoot valgus, forefoot abduction, and forefoot varus. Medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy, lateral column lengthening, and subtalar fusion can correct heel valgus, but may not adequately correct the fixed forefoot varus component. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of plantarflexion opening wedge medial cuneiform (Cotton) osteotomy in the correction of forefoot varus. METHODS: Sixteen feet (15 patients) had plantarflexion opening wedge medial cuneiform osteotomies to correct forefoot varus associated with flatfoot deformities from several etiologies, including congenital flatfoot (six feet, average age 37 years), tarsal coalition (five feet, average age 15 years), overcorrected clubfoot deformity (two feet, ages 17 years and 18 years), skewfoot (one foot, age 15 years), chronic posterior tibial tendon insufficiency (one foot, 41 years), and rheumatoid arthritis (one foot, age 56 years). RESULTS: Standing radiographs showed an average improvement in the anterior-posterior talo-first metatarsal angle of 7 degrees (9 degrees preoperative, 2 degrees postoperative). The talonavicular coverage angle improved an average of 15 degrees (20 degrees preoperative, 5 degrees postoperative). The lateral talo-first metatarsal angle improved an average of 14 degrees (-13 degrees preoperative, 1 degree postoperative). Correcting for radiographic magnification, the distance from the mid-medial cuneiform to the floor on the lateral radiograph averaged 40 mm preoperatively and 47 mm postoperatively (average improvement 7 mm). All patients at followup described mild to no pain with ambulation. There were no nonunions or malunions. CONCLUSIONS: Opening wedge medial cuneiform osteotomy is an important adjunctive procedure to correct the forefoot varus component of a flatfoot deformity. Advantages of this technique in comparison to first tarsometatarsal arthrodesis include predictable union, preservation of first ray mobility, and the ability to easily vary the amount of correction. Because of the variety of hindfoot procedures done in these patients, the degree of hindfoot correction contributed by the cuneiform osteotomy alone could not be determined. We have had excellent results without major complications using this technique.     

Dome corrective osteotomy for cubitus varus deformity

Between 1994 and 1998, 15 patients had corrective dome-shaped osteotomy of the humerus for posttraumatic cubitus varus deformity. Thirteen patients had surgery before puberty and two patients had surgery after puberty. In the prepuberty group, all the osteotomies were done by a posterior approach with triceps muscle splitting, and cross pins were used to fix the osteotomy. In the postpuberty group, the osteotomies were done by a posterior approach with olecranon osteotomy, and reconstructive plates were used for fixation. The average followup was 2 years and 4 months. Preoperative carrying angle ranged from 19 degrees to 31 degrees varus (average, 26.2 degrees) and postoperative carrying angle ranged from 7 degrees to 15 degrees valgus (average, 10.7 degrees). No loss of correction was observed and all osteotomies united. The preoperative and postoperative differences of the lateral condylar prominence index ranged from -67% to +6% (average, -30.1%). After reviewing these cases, a dome-shaped osteotomy was found to have the following advantages for correction of cubitus varus deformity: the osteotomy site is more stable than a lateral closing wedge osteotomy for maintaining the correction obtained; the domed osteotomy avoids having the lateral condyle becoming prominent; and the posterior scar is more cosmetically acceptable than the lateral scar in the lateral closing wedge osteotomy.     

Results of total knee arthroplasty with medial epicondylar osteotomy to correct varus deformity.

The clinical results of using medial epicondylar osteotomies to correct varus deformities in total knee arthroplasties were investigated. Unlike the traditional method of subperiosteal stripping of tibial ligaments, this alternative does not damage ligaments. Between 1991 and 1996, the senior author performed medial epicondylar osteotomies in 80 patients (93 knees) with primary total knee arthroplasty; of these, 60 patients (70 knees) were available for 2- to 4-year followup. At followup, no patients reported knee instability. Mean varus and valgus stability measured 14.2 points (Knee Society scale, 0-15 points). The Knee Society clinical score was 93 points, compared with a preoperative score of 42 points. The mean range of motion at followup was 111 degrees, compared with a preoperative mean of 101 degrees. The postoperative tibiofemoral angle on full limb radiographs taken with the patient weightbearing averaged 7 degrees valgus, compared with an average 6 degrees varus preoperative angle. Ninety-five percent of the patients were satisfied and reported less pain and improved knee function. Bone union occurred in 54% of the knees and fibrous union occurred in 46%. Focal tenderness, restricted motion, or other symptoms were not associated with fibrous union. The results show that epicondylar osteotomy for varus knee deformity provides excellent patient satisfaction, knee stability, motion, and deformity correction.     

Double-elevating osteotomy for late-presenting infantile Blount's disease: the importance of concomitant lateral epiphysiodesis

We reviewed 34 knees in 24 children after a double-elevating osteotomy for late-presenting infantile Blount's disease. The mean age of patients was 9.1 years (7 to 13.5). All knees were in Langenski?ld stages IV to VI. The operative technique corrected the depression of the medial joint line by an elevating osteotomy, and the remaining tibial varus and internal torsion by an osteotomy just below the apophysis. In the more recent patients (19 knees), a proximal lateral tibial epiphysiodesis was performed at the same time. The mean pre-operative angle of depression of the medial tibial plateau of 49 degrees (40 degrees to 60 degrees ) was corrected to a mean of 26 degrees (20 degrees to 30 degrees ), which was maintained at follow-up. The femoral deformity was too small to warrant femoral osteotomy in any of our patients. The mean pre-operative mechanical varus of 30.6 degrees (14 degrees to 66 degrees ) was corrected to 0 degrees to 5 degrees of mechanical valgus in 29 knees. In five knees, there was an undercorrection of 2 degrees to 5 degrees of mechanical varus. At follow-up a further eight knees, in which lateral epiphysiodesis was delayed beyond five months, developed recurrent tibial varus associated with fusion of the medial proximal tibial physis.     

Taylor空间支架矫正创伤后膝内、外翻畸形

  目的 探讨Taylor空间支架（Taylor Spatial Frame, TSF）矫正创伤后膝内、外翻畸形的临床疗效和精确度。方法 回顾性分析2006年6月至2010年12月,采用TSF矫正26例创伤后膝内、外翻畸形患者的病例,男19例,女7例;年龄19～62岁,平均39岁;创伤后膝内翻畸形20例,膝外翻畸形6例。21例行胫骨高位截骨,3例行股骨髁上截骨,2例同时行股骨髁上和胫骨高位截骨。安装TSF、测量支架的安装参数后截骨。术后7～10 d,根据电子处方,每天3次调节TSF支架上的可伸缩螺杆的长度,调节范围为0～3 mm。结果 经过7～35 d调节,20例畸形得到一次性完全矫正,患肢的胫骨、股骨力线恢复,肢体的成角、旋转和短缩畸形均得到矫正。6例尚残存轻微成角和短缩畸形,经第二次4～10 d的支架调整,畸形矫正。截骨处新骨生成和矿化良好,术后2.5～6.0个月去除外固定架。术后随访12～60个月,畸形无复发。术后11例发生针道感染,经应用敏感抗生素治疗,感染控制。1例去除外固定架后1.5个月发生股骨远端截骨处再骨折,经保守治疗骨折愈合。无一例患者发生血管神经损伤和继发性马蹄足畸形。结论 TSF矫正创伤后膝内、外翻畸形疗效确切,精确度高。     

Proximal tibial varus osteotomy. Indications, technique, and five to twenty-one-year results

BACKGROUND: Although high tibial osteotomy has been proved effective for the treatment of painful osteoarthritis of the medial compartment of the knee, the role of proximal tibial varus osteotomy for the treatment of painful osteoarthritis of the lateral compartment still remains controversial. METHODS: From 1974 to 1993, we performed proximal tibial varus osteotomy for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the lateral compartment of the knee in thirty-six consecutive patients. The procedure consisted of a proximal lateral opening-wedge varus osteotomy of the tibia with use of corticocancellous bone grafts from the iliac crest. The valgus deformity was posttraumatic in twenty-three patients, followed a lateral meniscectomy in five, was due to overcorrection of a varus deformity in four, and was idiopathic in four. The preoperative valgus deformity averaged 11.6 degrees (range, 4 degrees to 22 degrees ). RESULTS: At a mean of eleven years (range, five to twenty-one years) after the operation, the clinical results for thirty-four of the thirty-six patients were analyzed. None of the patients had severe progression of the osteoarthritis after the osteotomy, and none had a meaningful loss in the range of motion of the knee joint. A superficial wound infection developed in one patient, and another patient had thrombophlebitis. Three patients (9%) had a transient palsy of the peroneal nerve. According to the system of Insall et al., the mean knee score was 84 points (range, 54 to 99 points). According to the knee score described by Lysholm and Gillquist, the subjective result was excellent in nine patients (26%), good in twenty-one (62%), fair in three (9%), and poor in one (3%). CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that when the indications outlined in this study are followed and our opening-wedge technique is used, a proximal lateral opening-wedge varus osteotomy of the tibia is a good alternative for the treatment of isolated osteoarthritis of the lateral compartment of the knee. High accuracy in preoperative planning, based on a slight overcorrection, is important to prevent failure.     

Basal closing wedge osteotomy for correction of hallux valgus and metatarsus primus varus: 10- to 22-year follow-up

Between 1974 and 1985, 59 patients (83 feet) underwent basal closing wedge osteotomy in combination with a bunionectomy and a lateral soft tissue release for correction of hallux valgus and metatarsus primus varus at this institution. Of the original 59 patients, 42 patients (60 feet) with at least 10 years of follow-up (average, 194 months; range, 144-266 months) were available for this study. Results were analyzed by review of the medical records and plain radiographs, a standardized clinical questionnaire, and physical examination. Of the 60 feet, patients rated outcomes as excellent or good in 51 feet (85%) and rated cosmesis as excellent or good in 44 feet (73%). Radiographically at final follow-up, hallux valgus and intermetatarsal angles averaged 19.9 degrees (range, 0-40 degrees) and 6.7 degrees (range, 0-18 degrees), respectively. The sesamoid position was corrected from an average preoperative grade of 2.6 to a grade of 0.9 at final follow-up. The average shortening of the first metatarsal was 5 mm. The disadvantages of the closing wedge osteotomy are that it is technically demanding and it entails the risk of shortening, dorsal malalignment, and metatarsalgia. In the current study, long-term complications included hallux varus deformity (16 feet), dorsal malalignment (15 feet), and metatarsalgia (14 feet). Despite good correction of the intermetatarsal angle and sesamoid position, the clinical results and the incidence of complications after basal closing wedge osteotomy were not as favorable as those reported for other procedures in the literature. Therefore, alternative procedures, such as the basal crescentic osteotomy or the basal chevron osteotomy, should be used.     

Optimizing femorotibial alignment in high tibial osteotomy.

OBJECTIVE: To study factors that affect femorotibial (F-T) alignment after valgus closing wedge tibial osteotomy. STUDY DESIGN: A review of standardized standing radiographs. Femorotibial alignment was measured 1 year postoperatively for over- and under-correction. Changes in F-T alignment and in tibial plateau angle were measured. SETTING: An urban hospital and orthopedic clinic. PATIENTS: Eighty-two patients with osteoarthritis and varus femorotibial alignment underwent valgus closing wedge tibial osteotomy. Patients having a diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis or a prior osteotomy about the knee were excluded. RESULTS: A 1 degree wedge removed from the tibia resulted in an average correction F-T alignment of 1.2 degrees. A knee that had increased valgus orientation of the distal femur had a greater degree of correction, averaging 1.46 degrees in F-T alignment per degree of tibial wedge. This resulted in excessive postoperative valgus alignment for some patients who had increased valgus tilt of the distal femur. Optimal F-T alignment of 6 degrees to 14 degrees valgus occurred when the postoperative tibial inclination was 4 degrees to 8 degrees of valgus. CONCLUSIONS: There was a trend for knees with increased valgus orientation of the distal femur to have greater correction in F-T alignment after tibial osteotomy, likely because of a greater opening up of the medial joint space during stance. Surgeons need to account for this in their preoperative planning.     

Medium- and long-term results of high tibial osteotomy for varus gonarthrosis in an agricultural population.

High tibial valgus osteotomy for varus gonarthrosis was performed in 63 consecutive patients in a homogenous agricultural population using two different surgical techniques. Patients were divided into two groups. A two-level Mittelmeier osteotomy was performed in group A patients, and a lateral closed wedge high tibial osteotomy using the AO/ASIF L-plate was performed in group B patients. Operations were performed by two different groups of surgeons. Patients were evaluated postoperatively for correction of knee axis, functional result, subjective impression, and complications. In group A patients, 80% of the operated knees were corrected to the mechanical axis and in group B patients, 82% of the knees were corrected to 6 degrees-10 degrees valgus of the anatomical axis. Ninety percent, 70%, and 54% of group A and 91%, 73%, and 57% of group B patients were rated as satisfactory results at 5, 9, and 12 years postoperatively, respectively; these differences were not statistically significant. One year postoperatively, 91% of group A and 96% of group B patients reported their symptoms had improved. However, patient satisfaction decreased at 5, 7, and 12 years postoperatively, with 91%, 89%, and 66% of group A and 96%, 93%, and 68%, respectively, of group B patients reporting their symptoms had improved; these differences were not statistically significant. Postoperatively, most patients returned to full agricultural activity. Total knee arthroplasty, which was later required in 12% of the knees, was not significantly jeopardized by the previous osteotomy.     

Recurrent varus angulation after high tibial osteotomy: an anatomic analysis

Recurrent varus deformity and an associated lateral instability are a common and perplexing concern after high tibial osteotomy. An anatomic study using fresh cadaver specimens was done to delineate the cause of this complication. A closing wedge osteotomy was done on four cadaveric knees, which then were subjected to a small varus load to simulate the adduction moment experienced by the knee during normal gait. The osteotomy was progressively closed in 5 degree increments and the angular alignment of the knee was measured with each incremental change. Experimental results identified postosteotomy angular corrections to be 50%, or less, of the predicted value. As the osteotomy was closed progressively the lateral joint space increased concomitantly, creating an effective lateral instability and negating much of the angular correction afforded by the osteotomy. At osteotomy angles greater than 10 degrees the lateral collateral ligament was rendered nonfunctional with the lateral capsule and the anterior cruciate ligament assuming the primary function of stabilizing the lateral side of the knee. As commonly done, a closing wedge valgus tibial osteotomy does not alter the lateral collateral tension, which allows the knee to swing back toward native alignment when subjected to a varus load.     

Long-term results of high tibial osteotomy for medial osteoarthritis of the knee

We reviewed retrospectively the results in patients who had undergone one hundred and four high tibial lateral osteotomies. The operations were all performed between 1985 and 1993. Each one of fifty men and forty nine women demonstrated a varus deformity of the knee with a coexistent medial osteoarthritis. Results were reviewed in 49 patients (62 knees) with an average follow-up of 10.2 years (range 6-14 years). Of the remaining 42 patients, 8 were lost to follow-up, 10 had died, and 24 were subsequently treated with total knee arthroplasty at an average 4.7 years after having had a high tibial osteotomy. Clinical results were evaluated using the Hospital for Special Surgery Score (HSS) and the Knee Society Score. Radiographs were systematically analysed to evaluate osteoarthritis and leg axis. Forty four (90 per cent) of the forty nine patients stated the results met their expectations and given the same circumstances, they would have the operation once again. In these patients the knee score results were excellent. The same patients had excellent HSS and Knee Society Scores. Five patients (10 per cent) had a poor result and twenty four patients were treated later by total knee arthroplasty because of pain. The following factors set these patients apart from those with more favorable results: previous arthroscopic debridement, obesity, lateral knee osteoarthritis, insufficient valgus correction, and an age of more than 55 years. High tibial valgus osteotomy provides good pain relief and improved function in carefully selected patients. Our results support this conclusion.     

Long-Term Results of High Tibial Osteotomy for Medial Osteoarthritis of the Knee

We reviewed retrospectively the results in patients who had undergone one hundred and four high tibial lateral osteotomies. The operations were all performed between 1985 and l993. Each one of fifty men and forty nine women demonstrated a varus deformity of the knee with a coexistent medial osteoarthritis. Results were reviewed in 49 patients (62 knees) with an average follow-up of 10.2 years (range 6-14 years).

Of the remaining 42 patients, 8 were lost to follow-up, l0 had died, and 24 were subsequently treated with total knee arthroplasty at an average 4.7 years after having had a high tibial osteotomy.

Clinical results were evaluated using the Hospital for Special Surgery Score (HSS) and the Knee Society Score. Radiographs were systematically analysed to evaluate osteoarthritis and leg axis.

Forty four (90 per cent) of the forty nine patients stated the results met their expectations and given the same circumstances, they would have the operation once again. In these patients the knee score results were excellent. The same patients had excellent HSS and Knee Society Scores. Five patients (10 per cent) had a poor result and twenty four patients were treated later by total knee arthroplasty because of pain. The following factors set these patients apart from those with more favorable results: previous arthroscopic debridement, obesity, lateral knee osteoarthritis, insufficient valgus correction, and an age of more than 55 years.

High tibial valgus osteotomy provides good pain relief and improved function in carefully selected patients. Our results support this conclusion.     

Opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy to treat osteoarthritis of the knee with use of OSTEO+ system--initial report]

The aim of this prospective study was to assess the usefulness of OSTEO+ (Implants Industrie) system in opening-wedge tibial valgus osteotomy in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. From 2002 to 2003 ten medial opening-wedge tibial osteotomies were performed in ten patients. Patients with varus knee deformity and mild or moderate degenerative changes of the knee were chosen for the procedure. A medial transverse osteotomy was performed proximal to the tibial tuberosity. The medial side of the osteotomy site was opened to the desired angle of correction. The opened osteotomy site was fixed with OSTEO+ system with no bone graft used. The goal was to achieve a final standing alignment of 0 to 5 degrees of anatomical valgus angulation. The average duration of clinical and radiological follow-up was 6 months (range, four to eight months). All patients had paro relief and improvement in walking ability after the osteotomy. There were no cases of recurrence of varus deformity.