[The efficacy of open-wedge high tibial osteotomy for varus knee].
OBJECTIVE
To introduce the biplanar opening high tibial osteotomy with rigid fixation for adult varus knee.


METHODS
Twelve patients with varus knee and degeneration of medial compartment received the biplanar opening high tibial osteotomy between June 2001 and July 2008. The pre-operative deformity was about 11.5 degrees without osteoarthritis changes in other compartments. The average range of motion was more than 90 degrees . One of the patients had ruptures of LCL and ACL, who received osteotomy after reconstruction of the ligaments. The main symptom before the operation was pain in medial compartment. The range of motion, Lysholm score and subjective satisfactory examinations were assessed before and after the osteotomy.


RESULTS
All of the osteotomy sites were healed at twelve to sixteen weeks after operation. No complications such as plate broken or injury of nerve or blood vessel had occurred. The mean correct angle was 9.5 degrees . No degenerative changes had developed in other compartments of the knee. The mechanical axis of the lower extremities was maintained during the follow-up. The overall satisfactory rate was 83.3%. Statistically significant changes exist in the Lysholm score and varus degree.


CONCLUSIONS
The open-wedge high tibial osteotomy is suitable for the symptomatic genu varum in younger patients with good short-term and mid-term results.
Zhang
Hai-ning
HN
Department of Joint Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, China. zhhaining@hotmail.com
Leng
Ping
P
Wang
Ying-zhen
YZ
Lü
Cheng-yu
CY
Wang
Xiang-da
XD
Wang
Chang-yao
CY
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016916:Joint Deformities, Acquired / Q000601:surgery*; D007719:Knee Joint; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013977:Tibia / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome