Open-wedge osteotomy by hemicallotasis or the closed-wedge technique for osteoarthritis of the knee

Comparative analysis of gait: Similar coronal but different sagittal effects between closing-wedge and opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy

BACKGROUND

High tibial osteotomy is an established surgical option for medial compartment osteoarthritis of the knee with varus alignment. It can be divided into open wedge and closing wedge by operative technique. Although they have fundamental differences, little is known about the biomechanical consequences of the two surgical methods.

METHODS

Thirty-eight patients with medial compartment osteoarthritis who underwent high tibial osteotomy (19 open-wedge and 19 closing-wedge) were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical scores and radiological measurements were assessed until postoperative two years. Gait analysis was performed preoperatively and again at postoperative one year.

FINDINGS

Varus alignment was corrected in both groups without a significant difference between them (p = 0.543). However, posterior tibial slope was higher, and the Blackburne-Peel ratio was lower in the open wedge osteotomy group after surgery (both p < 0.001). Reduction of dynamic knee varus and knee adduction moment were observed in both groups without significant differences. However, after surgery, average knee range of motion (63.3° vs 57.3°, p < 0.001) and the magnitude of knee flexion moment was significantly lower (p = 0.005) in the closing wedge group. There were no significant differences in the Kujala Anterior Knee Pain Scale and the occurrence of patellofemoral arthritis between the groups postoperatively.

INTERPRETATION

After osteotomy, a smaller average knee range of motion in the sagittal plane and a higher knee flexion moment were observed in the open wedge osteotomy group, suggesting quadriceps muscle avoidance. However, no differences in clinical scores or the short-term occurrence of patellofemoral arthritis were noted between the two surgical techniques.

Percutaneous high tibial closed-wedge corticotomy and casting for treating genu varum in adolescents

PURPOSE

Diverse surgical modalities have been designated for the treatment of genu varum deformity. However, other studies have not constantly confirmed which technique to be better than the other. The use of hardware, bone graft or bone substitute have their own risks. In this study, simple technique of percutaneous high tibial closed-wedge corticotomy and casting for treating genu varum in average body-built adolescents without hardware fixation was reported.

METHODS

An overall 22 knees of 16 average-weight adolescents having genu varum with a mean age of 14.8 years (range, 12-18 years) underwent percutaneous high tibial closed-wedge corticotomy and casting. The study was conducted between May 2017 and January 2020. The typical follow-up duration was ten months (range, 8-22 months). Clinical and radiological evaluation for all patients was implemented.

RESULTS

Mean postoperative Rasmussen clinical score was 27 (range, 24-30), with 16 excellent and six good results. The tibiofemoral angle improved from a mean of 18.2 degree varus (range, 14-25 degree varus) preoperatively to 1.3 degree valgus (range, 0-8 degree valgus) postoperatively, indicating a significant improvement (P < 0.05). Bone union was achieved at a mean of ten weeks (range, 8-14 weeks). None of the patients sustained nonunion, delayed union, infection, or knee stiffness.

CONCLUSIONS

Percutaneous high tibial closed-wedge corticotomy and casting is a minimally invasive procedure for treating genu varum in adolescents. Good results are able to be attained with proper patient selection and meticulous surgical technique.

Return to sports rate after opening wedge high tibial osteotomy in athletes

PURPOSE

We hypothesized that patient treated with OWHTO who participate in high-impact sports would attain satisfactory outcome. The purpose of this study was to examine the clinical and radiological outcomes in a consecutive series of opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO) in highly active patients.

METHODS

Seventy-seven consecutive patients who underwent OWHTO with varus osteoarthritic knees were included in the study. The mean age of the study population was 56.1 years. All patients were followed for a minimum of 2 years. Clinical and radiological evaluations were performed at 12 and 24 months after surgery. The clinical results were evaluated using the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) Subjective Score. In regards to radiological assessment, the following parameters were measured in full-length weightbearing radiographs both pre- and postoperatively; mechanical tibiofemoral angle (mTFA), mechanical lateral distal femoral angle (mLDFA), and weight bearing line (WBL) ratio.

RESULTS

Fifty-eight patients (75.3%) returned to the same high-impact sports activities as before surgery, with a mean time to return of 8.7 ± 2.7 months (6-14 months). In the clinical assessments, the IKDC subjective score and KOOS both improved from the mean preoperative scores of 38.4 and 217.4 points to the mean postoperative scores of 74.5 and 421.6 points, respectively. The mean pre-symptomatic Tegner activity scale was 5.3 ± 0.6 and significantly decreased to 4.8 ± 1.2 at 2 years postoperative (p < 0.05). In the radiological evaluation, the postoperative mTFA, mMPTA, and WBL ratio values averaged 1.3° ± 2.2° valgus, 90.7° ± 2.9°, and 51.6% ± 8.4°, respectively, at 24 months after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical outcomes based on postoperative patient-reported outcome measures and rate of return to high-impact sports activities were favorable after OWHTO in patients with knee OA who desired to continue sporting activities with the Tegner activity score of  ≥ 5 points.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Retrospective case series, IV.

Relationship between the bony correction angle and mechanical axis change and their differences between closed and open wedge high tibial osteotomy

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the bony correction angle and mechanical axis change and their differences between closed wedge high tibial osteotomy (CWHTO) and open wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO).

METHODS

A total of 100 knees of 89 patients who underwent OWHTO (50 knees) or CWHTO (50 knees) between 2011 and 2015 with a clinical follow-up for 1 year and a radiological follow-up for 1 month were investigated in a case control study. Anteroposterior radiographs of the knee and full-length leg were taken in the standing position using digital acquisition. The femorotibial angle (FTA), % mechanical axis deviation (MAD), % anatomical tibial axis deviation (ATAD), % mechanical tibial axis deviation (MTAD), mechanical medial proximal tibial angle (mMPTA), and joint line convergence angle (JLCA) were measured on preoperative and postoperative radiographs using a dedicated software.

RESULTS

CWHTO resulted in a greater variation between the tibial anatomical and mechanical axes than OWHTO (P <  0.05), and a greater soft tissue correction than OWHTO (P <  0.05). However, no significant difference was found between CWHTO and OWHTO in the ratio of MAD change to the correction angle. When the osteotomy was planned with the same bony correction angle, %MAD passed more laterally in OWHTO than in CWHTO (P <  0.05). These results suggested a lesser valgus bony correction ratio due to greater medial shift of the tibial axis and greater valgus compensation of the soft tissue in CWHTO compared to OWHTO.

CONCLUSIONS

The ratio of mechanical axis shift to the correction angle differed in preoperative planning, but postoperative alignment was comparable between opening wedge and closed wedge high tibial osteotomy.

Surgical interventions for symptomatic mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis

BACKGROUND

Osteoarthritis affecting the knee is common and represents a continuum of disease from early cartilage thinning to full-thickness cartilage loss, bony erosion, and deformity. Many studies do not stratify their results based on the severity of the disease at baseline or recruitment.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the benefits and harms of surgical intervention for the management of symptomatic mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis defined as knee pain and radiographic evidence of non-end stage osteoarthritis (Kellgren-Lawrence grade 1, 2, 3 or equivalent on MRI/arthroscopy). Outcomes of interest included pain, function, radiographic progression, quality of life, short-term serious adverse events, re-operation rates and withdrawals due to adverse events.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, and Embase up to May 2018. We also conducted searches of ClinicalTrials.gov and the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform for ongoing trials. Authors of trials were contacted if some but not all their participants appeared to fit our inclusion criteria.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomised controlled trials that compared surgery to non-surgical interventions (including sham and placebo control groups, exercise or physiotherapy, and analgesic or other medication), injectable therapies, and trials that compared one type of surgical intervention to another surgical intervention in people with symptomatic mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently selected trials and extracted data using standardised forms. We analysed the quality of evidence using the GRADE (Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) approach.

MAIN RESULTS

A total of five studies involving 566 participants were identified as eligible for this review. Single studies compared arthroscopic partial meniscectomy to physical therapy (320 participants), arthroscopic surgery (debridement ± synovectomy ± chondroplasty) to closed needle joint lavage with saline (32 participants) and high tibial osteotomy surgery to knee joint distraction surgery (62 participants). Two studies (152 participants) compared arthroscopic surgery (washout ± debridement; debridement) to a hyaluronic acid injection. Only one study was at low risk of selection bias, and due to the difficulty of blinding participants to their treatment, all studies were at risk of performance and detection bias.Reporting of results in this summary has been restricted to the primary comparison: surgical intervention versus non-surgical intervention.A single study, included 320 participants with symptoms consistent with meniscal tear. All subjects had the meniscal tear confirmed on knee MRI and radiographic evidence of mild to moderate osteoarthritis (osteophytes, cartilage defect or joint space narrowing). Patients with severe osteoarthritis (KL grade 4) were excluded. The study compared arthroscopic partial meniscectomy and physical therapy to physical therapy alone (a six-week individualised progressive home exercise program). This study was at low risk of selection bias and outcome reporting biases, but was susceptible to performance and detection biases. A high rate of cross-over (30.2%) occurred from the physical therapy group to the arthroscopic group.Low-quality evidence suggests there may be little difference in pain and function at 12 months follow-up in people who have arthroscopic partial meniscectomy and those who have physical therapy. Evidence was downgraded to low quality due to risk of bias and imprecision.Mean pain was 19.3 points on a 0 to 100 point KOOS pain scale with physical therapy at 12 months follow-up and was 0.2 points better with surgery (95% confidence interval (CI) 4.05 better to 3.65 points worse with surgery, an absolute improvement of 0.2% (95% CI 4% better to 4% worse) and relative improvement 0.4% (95% CI 9% better to 8% worse) (low quality evidence). Mean function was 14.5 on a 0 to 100 point KOOS function scale with physical therapy at 12 months follow-up and 0.8 points better with surgery (95% CI 4.3 better to 2.7 worse); 0.8% absolute improvement (95% CI 4% better to 3% worse) and 2.1% relative improvement (95% CI 11% better to 7% worse) (low quality evidence).Radiographic structural osteoarthritis progression and quality of life outcomes were not reported.Due to very low quality evidence, we are uncertain if surgery is associated with an increased risk of serious adverse events, incidence of total knee replacement or withdrawal rates. Evidence was downgraded twice due to very low event rates, and once for risk of bias.At 12 months, the surgery group had a total of three serious adverse events including fatal pulmonary embolism, myocardial infarction and hypoxaemia. The physical therapy alone group had two serious adverse events including sudden death and stroke (Peto OR 1.58, 95% CI 0.27 to 9.21); 1% more events with surgery (95% CI 2% less to 3% more) and 58% relative change (95% CI 73% less to 821% more). One participant in each group withdrew due to adverse events.Two of 164 participants (1.2%) in the physical therapy group and three of 156 in the surgery group underwent conversion to total knee replacement within 12 months (Peto OR 1.76, 95% CI 0.43 to 7.13); 1% more events with surgery (95% CI 2% less to 5% more); 76% relative change (95% CI 57% less to 613% more).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

The review found no placebo-or sham-controlled trials of surgery in participants with symptomatic mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis. There was low quality evidence that there may be no evidence of a difference between arthroscopic partial meniscectomy surgery and a home exercise program for the treatment of this condition. Similarly, low-quality evidence from a few small trials indicates there may not be any benefit of arthroscopic surgery over other non-surgical treatments including saline irrigation and hyaluronic acid injection, or one type of surgery over another. We are uncertain of the risk of adverse events or of progressing to total knee replacement due to very small event rates. Thus, there is uncertainty around the current evidence to support or oppose the use of surgery in mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis. As no benefit has been demonstrated from the low quality trials included in this review, it is possible that future higher quality trials for these surgical interventions may not contradict these results.

Are three-dimensional patient-specific cutting guides for open wedge high tibial osteotomy accurate? An in vitro study

Background

The aim of this in vitro study was to assess the accuracy of three-dimensional patient-specific cutting guides for open wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO) to provide the planned correction in both frontal and sagittal planes.

Methods

Ten cadaveric tibias underwent OWHTO performed using a patient-specific cutting guide based on 3D preoperative planning. An initial CT scan of the tibias was performed, and after segmentation, 3D geometrical models of the pre-OWHTO tibias were obtained. Reference planes were defined, and OWHTO virtually planned to then design patient-specific cutting guides. OWHTO were performed using the patient-specific cutting guides. The patient-specific cutting guide controls the cut and the correction of the OWHTO in both planes. 3D models of post-OWHTO tibias were created after a postoperative CT scan. Geometrical post-OWHTO 3D models were superimposed on pre-OWHTO 3D models. Mechanical medial proximal tibial angle (mMPTA) in the frontal plane and posterior tibial slope (PTS) in the sagittal plane were compared between planned-OWHTO and post-OWHTO 3D reconstructions relative to the pre-OWHTO reference planes and axis. Pearson’s and Lin’s correlation tests were performed to assess precision and accuracy of patient-specific cutting guides.

Results

The mean difference between post-OWHTO and planned-OWHTO was 0.2° (max 0.5°, SD 0.3°) in the frontal plane and − 0.1° (max 0.8°, SD 0.5°) in the sagittal plane. Statistically significant correlations were found between the planned-OWHTO and post-OWHTO configurations for the mMPTA (p < 0.0001) and PTS (p < 0.0001) measurements, and the bias correction factor was 0.99 in both planes.

Conclusions

3D patient-specific cutting guides for OWHTO-based 3D virtual planning is a reliable and accurate method of achieving multiplanar correction in both frontal and sagittal planes.

Osteotomy for treating knee osteoarthritis

BACKGROUND

Patients with unicompartmental osteoarthritis of the knee can be treated with an osteotomy. The goal of an osteotomy is to unload the diseased compartment of the knee. This is the second update of the original review published in The Cochrane Library, Issue 1, 2005.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the benefits and harms of an osteotomy for treating patients with knee osteoarthritis, including the following main outcomes scores: treatment failure, pain and function scores, health-related quality of life, serious adverse events, mortality and reoperation rate.

SEARCH METHODS

The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE and EMBASE (Current Contents, HealthSTAR) were searched until November 2013 for this second update.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised and controlled clinical trials comparing an osteotomy with other treatments for patients with unicompartmental osteoarthritis of the knee.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently selected trials, extracted data and assessed risk of bias using the domains recommended in the 'Risk of bias' tool of The Cochrane Collaboration. The quality of the results was analysed by performing overall grading of evidence by outcome using the GRADE (Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) approach.

MAIN RESULTS

Eight new studies were included in this update, for a total of 21 included studies involving 1065 people.In four studies, the randomised sequence was adequately generated and clearly described. In eight studies, allocation concealment was adequately generated and described. In four studies, the blinding procedures were sufficient. In six studies, incomplete outcome data were not adequately addressed. Furthermore, in 11 studies, the selective outcome reporting item was unclear because no study protocol was provided.Follow-up of studies comparing different osteotomy techniques was too short to measure treatment failure, which implicates revision to a knee arthroplasty.Four studies evaluated a closing wedge high tibial osteotomy (CW-HTO) with another high tibial osteotomy (aHTO). Based on these studies, the CW-HTO group had 1.8% (95% confidence interval (CI) -7.7% to 4.2%; low-quality evidence) more pain compared with the aHTO group; this finding was not statistically significant. Pooled function in the CW-HTO group was 0.5% (95% CI -3.8% to 2.8%; low-quality evidence) higher compared with the aHTO group; this finding was not statistically significant. No data on health-related quality of life and mortality were presented.Serious adverse events were reported in only four studies and were not significantly different (low-quality evidence) between groups. The reoperation rate were scored as early hardware removal because of pain and pin track infection due to the external fixator. Risk of reoperation was 2.6 (95% CI 1.5 to 4.5; low-quality evidence) times higher in the aHTO group compared with the CW-HTO group, and this finding was statistically significant.The quality of evidence for most outcomes comparing different osteotomy techniques was downgraded to low because of the numbers of available studies, the numbers of participants and limitations in design.Two studies compared high tibial osteotomy versus unicompartmental knee replacement. Treatment failure and pain and function scores were not different between groups after a mean follow-up of 7.5 years. The osteotomy group reported more adverse events when compared with the unicompartmental knee replacement group, but the difference was not statistically significant. No data on health-related quality of life and mortality were presented.No study compared an osteotomy versus conservative treatment.Ten included studies compared differences in perioperative or postoperative conditions after high tibial osteotomy. In most of these studies, no statistically significant differences in outcomes were noted between groups.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

The conclusion of this update did not change: Valgus high tibial osteotomy reduces pain and improves knee function in patients with medial compartmental osteoarthritis of the knee. However, this conclusion is based on within-group comparisons, not on non-operative controls. No evidence suggests differences between different osteotomy techniques. No evidence shows whether an osteotomy is more effective than alternative surgical treatment such as unicompartmental knee replacement or non-operative treatment. So far, the results of this updated review do not justify a conclusion on benefit of specific high tibial osteotomy technique for knee osteoarthritis.

Comparison of closing-wedge and opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy for medial compartment osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized controlled trial with a six-year follow-up

BACKGROUND

Varus deformity increases the risk of progression of medial compartment knee osteoarthritis. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical and radiographic mid-term results of closing-wedge and opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy when used to treat this condition.

METHODS

From January 2001 to April 2004, ninety-two patients were randomized to receive either a closing-wedge or an opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy. The clinical outcome and radiographic results were examined preoperatively; at one year; and, for the present study, at six years postoperatively. The outcomes that we reviewed included maintenance of the achieved correction, progression of osteoarthritis (based on the Kellgren and Lawrence classification), severity of pain (as assessed on a visual analog scale [VAS]), knee function (as measured with the Hospital for Special Surgery [HSS] score and Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score [KOOS]), walking distance, complications, and survival with conversion to a total knee arthroplasty as the end point. The results were analyzed on the basis of the intention-to-treat principle.

RESULTS

Six years postoperatively, the mean hip-knee-ankle (HKA) angle (and standard deviation) was 3.2° ± 4.1° of valgus after a closing-wedge high tibial osteotomy and 1.3° ± 5.0° of valgus after an opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy (p = 0.343). In both groups, the six-year postoperative HKA angles did not differ from the respective one-year postoperative angles. No difference in the severity of pain or in knee function was found between the two groups. Four complications (9%) occurred in the closing-wedge group and seventeen (38%), in the opening-wedge group. Ten (22%) of the patients in the closing-wedge group and three (8%) in the opening-wedge group needed conversion to a total knee arthroplasty within the six-year period (p = 0.05). The difference in the percentage of cases with conversion to total knee arthroplasty was 14% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 21.7 to 0.2).

CONCLUSIONS

In the group of patients without conversion to a total knee arthroplasty, there was no difference between the high tibial closing-wedge and opening-wedge osteotomies in terms of clinical outcomes or radiographic alignment at six years postoperatively. Opening-wedge osteotomy was associated with more complications, but closing-wedge osteotomy was associated with more early conversions to total knee arthroplasty.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

The long-term outcome of open-wedge osteotomy of the proximal tibia with hemicallotasis

We report the long-term outcome of 33 patients (37 knees) who underwent proximal tibial open-wedge osteotomy with hemicallotasis (HCO) for medial osteoarthritis of the knee between 1995 and 2000. Among these, 29 patients with unilateral HCO were enrolled and 19 were available for review at a mean of 14.2 years (10 to 15.7) post-operatively. For these 19 patients, the mean Hospital for Special Surgery knee score was 60 (57 to 62) pre-operatively and 85 (82 to 87) at final follow-up (p < 0.001; paired t-test). The femorotibial angle and tibial inclination angle (IA) were measured at short-term follow-up, one to four years post-operatively, and showed no significant subsequent changes. The clinical scores and radiological measurements showed little change over time. One patient required conversion to total knee replacement during this time. These results suggest that the coronal angle achieved at operation is maintained at long-term follow up after HCO without alteration of the IA, providing a good long-term clinical outcome.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:467–72.

Survivorship of high tibial osteotomy in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee

Previous studies from single centres or single-surgeon series report good early and mid-term results for high tibial osteotomy (HTO) in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee. However, the survivorship of HTO at a national level is unknown. This registry-based study included 3195 high HTOs performed between 1987 and 2008. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed an overall survivorship of 89% (95% confidence interval (CI) 88 to 90) at five years and 73% (95% CI 72 to 75) at ten years, when conversion to total knee replacement was taken as the endpoint. Females and patients aged > 50 years had worse survivorship than males or patients aged ≤ 50 years (hazard ratio (HR) 1.26 (95% CI 1.11 to 1.43) and HR 1.41 (95% CI 1.23 to 1.64), respectively). The survivorship of HTOs performed between 1998 to 2008 was worse than for those performed between 1987 and 1997.

High tibial osteotomy in medial compartment osteoarthritis and varus deformity using the Taylor spatial frame: early results

We report the early results of high tibial osteotomy (HTO) in medial compartment osteoarthritis (OA) and varus deformity using the Taylor spatial frame (TSF). Between October 2005 and April 2007, 9 patients with medial compartment OA and varus deformity underwent TSF application and medial opening wedge HTO. Pre- and post-operative Oxford knee scores, SF-12 and visual analogue pain scores were recorded along with radiographic outcomes. Median follow-up was 19 months (range 15–35). Mean age at operation was 49 years (range 37–59). The median time spent in the frame was 18 weeks (range 12–37). The mean preoperative Oxford knee score was 28.7. This improved to a mean of 35.4 post-operatively (P = 0.0142). 6 (67%) patients had a documented pin-site infection. With TKR as an end point, the survival rate of HTOs was 88.9% at a median of 19 months follow-up. This study demonstrates that in selected patients the TSF provides a viable treatment option for performing HTO in medial compartment OA with varus deformity.

High tibial osteotomy with a dynamic axial fixator

We report the outcome of 32 patients (37 knees) who underwent hemicallostasis with a dynamic external fixator for osteoarthritis of the medial compartment of the knee. There were 16 men (19 knees) and 16 women (18 knees) with a mean age at operation of 54.6 years (27 to 72). The aim was to achieve a valgus overcorrection of 2° to 8° or mechanical axis at 62.5% (± 12.5%). At a mean follow-up of 62.8 months (51 to 81) there was no change in the mean range of movement, and no statistically significant difference in the Insall-Salvati index or tibial slope (p = 0.11 and p = 0.15, respectively). The mean hip-knee-ankle angle changed from 190.6 (183° to 197°) to 176.0° (171° to 181°), with a mean final position of the mechanical axis of 58.5% (35.1% to 71.2%).

The desired alignment was attained in 31 of 37 (84%) knees. There were 21 excellent, 13 good, two fair and one poor result according to the Oxford knee score with no correlation between age and final score. This score was at its best at one year with a statistically significant deterioration at two years (p = 0.001) followed by a small but not statistically significant deterioration until the final follow-up (p = 0.17). All the knees with Ahlback grade 1 osteoarthritis had excellent or good results. Complications included pin tract infections involving 16.4% of all pins used, delayed union in two, knee stiffness in four, fracture of the lateral cortex in one and ring sequestrum in one.

In conclusion, hemicallostasis provides precision in attaining the desired alignment without interfering with tibial slope or patellar height, and is relatively free of serious complications.

The complications of high tibial osteotomy: closing- versus opening-wedge methods

We compared the incidence and severity of complications during and after closing- and opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy used for the treatment of varus arthritis of the knee, and identified the risk factors associated with the development of complications. In total, 104 patients underwent laterally based closing-wedge and 90 medial opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy between January 1993 and December 2006. The characteristics of each group were similar. All the patients were followed up for more than 12 months. We assessed the outcome using the Hospital for Special Surgery knee score, and recorded the complications. Age, gender, obesity (body mass index > 27.5 kg/m(2)), the type of osteotomy (closing versus opening) and the pre-operative mechanical axis were subjected to risk-factor analysis. The mean Hospital for Special Surgery score in the closing and opening groups improved from 73.4 (54 to 86) to 91.8 (81 to 100) and from 73.8 (56 to 88) to 93 (84 to 100), respectively. The incidence of complications overall and of major complications in both groups was not significantly different (p = 0.20 overall complication, p = 0.29 major complication). Logistic regression analysis adjusting for obesity and the pre-operative mechanical axis showed that obesity remained a significant independent risk factor (odds ratio = 3.23) of a major complication after high tibial osteotomy. Our results suggest that the opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy can be an alternative treatment option for young patients with medial compartment osteoarthritis and varus deformity.

Clinical results of reversed V-shaped high tibial corticotomy with minimally invasive surgery without internal fixation devices

High tibial osteotomy is a method of treating knee osteoarthritis due to genu varum in advanced stages. High tibial osteotomy-associated problems continue to be reported. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical results of a new, innovative method of high tibial osteotomy with 3- to 13-year follow-up. Between 1996 and 2006, our new surgical method was performed on 293 patients with medial compartment osteoarthritis and genu varum. All patients were examined preoperatively, 6 months postoperatively, and at final follow-up. The Hospital for Special Surgery Knee Scoring System (HSS) was used at final follow-up, and limb alignment and patient satisfaction were reassessed. Immediate postoperative complications included varus recurrence, knee instability, and peroneal nerve palsy, and no signs of tibial nonunion or infection were observed. At final follow-up, 3 cases of genu recurvatum, 2 cases of peroneal nerve palsy, and 25 cases of loss of correction were observed. Average postoperative HSS score was 85 (range, 47-97), and 97.8% of the patients were satisfied. This new method is a good alternative for the correction of genu varum because it requires a small incision, is soft tissue friendly, is a corticotomy instead of an osteotomy, requires no internal or external fixation devices, has a shorter duration and an acceptable complication and recurrence rate, and results in satisfactory HSS scores and higher patient satisfaction rates.

Fixation stability of opening- versus closing-wedge high tibial osteotomy: a randomised clinical trial using radiostereometry

Valgus high tibial osteotomy for osteoarthritis of the medial compartment of the knee can be performed using medial opening- and lateral closing-wedge techniques. The latter have been thought to offer greater initial stability. We measured and compared the stability of opening- and closing-wedge osteotomies fixed by TomoFix plates using radiostereometry in a series of 42 patients in a prospective, randomised clinical trial. There were no differences between the opening- and closing-wedge groups in the time to regain knee function and full weight-bearing. Pain and knee function were significantly improved in both groups without any differences between them. All the osteotomies united within one year. Radiostereometry showed no clinically relevant movement of bone or differences between either group. Medial opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy secured by a TomoFix plate offers equal stability to a lateral closing-wedge technique. Both give excellent initial stability and provide significantly improved knee function and reduction in pain, although the opening-wedge technique was more likely to produce the intended correction.

Undisturbed theatre dressing during the first postoperative week. A benefit in the treatment by external fixation: a cohort study

In the literature, there are several different suggestions as to when the first postoperative pin-site care should be carried out to best prevent pin-site infections during the treatment by external fixation. In a cohort study, we compared the use of antibiotics and complications in patients where the theatre dressing was changed during the first postoperative week with patients where the theatre dressings were left undisturbed for the first postoperative week. Sterile compresses moistened with chlorhexidine 5 mg/ml in alcohol (70%), draped around each pin site and fixed by a bandage, were used as theatre dressing. In all patients, cultures were taken 1 week postoperatively from each pin site; use of antibiotics and complications during the treatment was documented. In 101 consecutive patients (118 knees) (73% men, mean age 50, mean BMI 27.5 kg/m(2)) operated on by high tibial osteotomy for knee deformity using the hemicallotasis technique, during 2005-2006, the theatre dressings were left undisturbed during the first postoperative week in 90 patients (104 knees) of group 1, and in 11 patients (14 knees) of group 2, the theatre dressings were changed during the first postoperative week. Eight of 11 patients in group 2 were treated with antibiotics compared to 32 of 90 patients in group 1 (RR 2.0, 95% CI 1.6-2.7, p = 0.02) during the treatment period by external fixation. Patients with a disturbed theatre dressing during the first postoperative week had an increased use of antibiotics by 18.6 days (95% CI 10.6-26.5, p < 0.0001, adjusted analysis). Four of 11 patients in group 2 had complications and 11 of 90 in group 1, adjusted analysis (RR 2.7, 95% CI 0.4-16.2, p = 0.3). Bilateral surgery simultaneously showed increased use of antibiotics by 10.4 days (4.4, 16.4, p = 0.0009) and increased risk of complications (RR 5.8, 95% CI 1.2-27.5, p = 0.03). In conclusion, the increased use of antibiotics indicates that leaving the theatre dressing undisturbed during the first postoperative week is beneficial to the treatment by external fixation and is probably of importance in the prophylactic pin-site care.

The patella and tibial condyle position after combined and after closing wedge high tibial osteotomy

High tibial osteotomy changes the patella and tibial condyle position, which makes the subsequent total knee replacement technically demanding. From 1 January 1993 to 31 December 2000, combined osteotomy [After the first osteotomy made 2 cm distally to the joint line, a bone wedge is removed based laterally. Its tip ends at the center of the tibial condyle (half bone wedge). The distal part of the tibia is placed into the valgus position and the half bone wedge is placed into the gap opened medially.] was performed on 103 knees and closing wedge osteotomy was performed on 47 consecutive knees. Eighty combined (group A) and 41 closing wedge (group B) osteotomy were studied. All knees were assessed radiologically before surgery, in the 10th postoperative week, in the 12th postoperative month and at the time of the final follow-up (in group A-66.15 months, in group B-66.61 months). We examined the change of the femorotibial angle, of the patellar height according to the method of Insall and Salvati, of the tibial slope angle according to the method of Bonnin, of the tibial condylar offset according to the method of Yoshida and of the distance between the lateral tibial plateau and the top of the fibular head. In group A and B, the recurrence of the varus deformity was not noted and valgus alignment did not increase in any case. In group-A, the Insall-Salvati ratio remained unchanged in 65% of knees. The tibial slope angle decreased in both groups. There was correlation between the change of the tibial condylar offset and the angle of the correction in both groups. There was correlation between the change of the distance between the lateral tibial plateau and the top of the fibular head. After combined osteotomy, the transposition of the tibial condyle and the decrease of the distance between the lateral tibial plateau and the top of the fibular head was less than after closing wedge osteotomy, although the average angle of correction was more after combined osteotomy (11.835 degrees ), than after closing wedge osteotomy (9.465 degrees ). Theoretically, the recurrence of the varus deformity, the increase of the valgus alignment and (in majority of cases) the shortening of the patellar tendon do not compromise the likelihood of successful conversion to the subsequent total knee replacement, either after combined or after closing wedge osteotomy. The combined osteotomy does not lead to considerable transposition of the tibial condyle and to considerable lateral tibial bone loss; therefore, theoretically, the combined osteotomy does not impair the subsequent total knee replacement.

Osteotomy for the Early Varus Arthritic Knee

High tibial osteotomy is a well-established procedure for the management of medial compartment arthritis that is currently experiencing a resurgence in popularity. A number of techniques have been described, with the ultimate goal of obtaining appropriate alignment to provide pain relief and functional improvement over a long-term period. Appropriate patient selection and careful surgical technique is necessary to achieve these goals with a minimal risk of complication. Newer technology such as computer navigation promises to improve the overall accuracy of the procedure. The need for alignment correction in combination with ligament reconstruction and chondral resurfacing surgery will increase the indications for this procedure. This article discusses the techniques available for high tibial osteotomy, the results and relative advantages of each, and the appropriate surgical technique to achieve optimal results while minimizing complications.

Osteotomy for medial compartment arthritis of the knee using a closing wedge or an opening wedge controlled by a Puddu plate. A one-year randomised, controlled study

A prospective, randomised, controlled trial compared two different techniques of high tibial osteotomy with a lateral closing wedge or a medial opening wedge, stabilised by a Puddu plate. The clinical outcome and radiological results were examined at one year. The primary outcome measure was the achievement of an overcorrection of valgus of 4 degrees . Secondary outcome measures were the severity of pain (visual analogue scale), knee function (Hospital for Special Surgery score), and walking distance. Between January 2001 and April 2004, 92 patients were randomised to one or other of the techniques. At follow-up at one year the post-operative hip-knee-ankle angle was 3.4 degrees (+/- 3.6 degrees SD) valgus after a closing wedge and 1.3 degrees (+/- 4.7 degrees SD) of valgus after an opening wedge. The adjusted mean difference of 2.1 degrees was significant (p = 0.02). The deviation from 4 degrees of valgus alignment was 2.7 degrees (+/- 2.4 degrees SD) in the closing wedge and 4.0 degrees (+/- 3.6 degrees sd) in the opening-wedge groups. The adjusted mean difference of 1.67 degrees was also significant (p = 0.01). The severity of pain, knee score and walking ability improved in both groups, but the difference was not significant. Because of pain, the staples required removal in 11 (23%) patients in the closing-wedge group and a Puddu plate was removed in 27 (60%) patients in the opening-wedge group. This difference was significant (p < 0.001). We conclude that closing-wedge osteotomy achieves a more accurate correction with less morbidity, although both techniques had improved the function of the knee at one year after the procedure.