title: [Application of orientation to the mechanical alignment of lower limbs in operation of high tibial osteotomy].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effects of orientation to the mechanical alignment of lower limbs in high tibial osteotomy (HTO).
  
  
  METHODS
  From March 2005 to July 2010, the data of 57 patients (63 knees) with medial compartment osteoarthritis were retrospectively analyzed. There were 24 males and 33 females with an average age of 52 years (ranged, 34 to 68). HTO was used in all the patients, and with wire the exact orientation to the mechanical alignment of lower limbs was performed in order to obtain good angle of intercepted bone. X-rays of full-length lower limbs were done at the 3rd month after operation and final follow-up, in which femorotibial angle would be observed. Clinical results were evaluated according to Hospital for Special Surgery knee scores (HSS) including pain, function, activities, myodynamia, deformity and instability.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients were followed up from 24 to 60 months with an average of 36.7 months. All osteotomy site achieved radiographic healing. The femorotibial angle was corrected from preoperative (182.8 +/- 2.9) degrees to postoperative (167.6 +/- 2.5) degrees and (168.1 +/- 2.5) degrees at final follow-up (compared with preoperative data, P < 0.01). Pain relieved and genu valgum recovered. HSS score improved from preoperative 69.5 +/- 7.1 to postoperative 91.1 +/- 4.9 and 92.2 +/- 5.6 at final follow-up. According to HSS standard, 43 knees got excellent results, 18 good and 2 fair.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The orientation to mechanical alignment of lower limbs using wire during operation of HTO is a good method in correcting femorotibial angle and treating medial compartment osteoarthritis of the knee. Moreover, the method is simple and precise for orthopedist.
authors.affiliation: Department of Joint Surgery, Orthopaedic Hospital, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou 325027, Zhejiang, China.
authors.forename: Yue-Zheng
authors.initials: YZ
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.forename: Xiao-Yun
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.forename: Hua-Chen
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Yu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000601:surgery; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000379:methods*; D013977:Tibia / Q000601:surgery*