title: Return to Work and Sport Following High Tibial Osteotomy: A Systematic Review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to examine (1) timelines for return to sport and work following high tibial osteotomy (HTO), and (2) whether patients return to sport and work at levels similar to preoperative levels.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic search was conducted across 3 databases (MEDLINE, Embase, and PubMed). Two reviewers independently screened the results for relevant articles. Data regarding patient demographics, indications, surgical technique, return to work and sport, and complication and failure rates were abstracted from eligible studies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nineteen studies were included, involving 1,189 patients (64% male, 21% female, 15% unspecified) and 1,224 knees. Mean age was 46.2 years (range, 16 to 80 years). Opening-wedge HTO was most commonly used, followed by closing-wedge HTO and hemicallotasis. Mean follow-up was 65.4 months (range, 8 to 253 months). Overall, 87.2% of patients returned to sport postoperatively, and 78.6% returned at an equal or greater level. Among competitive athletes, 54% returned to competition. Overall, 84.5% of patients returned to work postoperatively, and 65.5% returned at an equal or greater level. Approximately 90% of patients who returned to work or sport did so within 1 year. The complication rate was 5.8%, with infection being the most common complication; 7.0% of patients progressed to a total knee arthroplasty at a mean of 6.7 years (range, 0.8 to 15 years) following HTO.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The majority of patients undergoing HTO return to sport and work, and most return within 1 year of the operation. Most patients return to sport at a level equal to or greater than the preoperative level. Approximately two-thirds of patients return to an equal or greater level of physical work.
  
  
  METHODS
  Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
authors.affiliation: Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Department of Surgery (D.d.S. and O.R.A.), and Centre for Evidence Based Orthopaedics, Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics (N.S.), Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine (S.E. and C.E.H.), McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Seper
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ekhtiari
authors.affiliation: Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Department of Surgery (D.d.S. and O.R.A.), and Centre for Evidence Based Orthopaedics, Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics (N.S.), Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine (S.E. and C.E.H.), McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Chloe E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Haldane
authors.affiliation: Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Department of Surgery (D.d.S. and O.R.A.), and Centre for Evidence Based Orthopaedics, Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics (N.S.), Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine (S.E. and C.E.H.), McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Darren
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: de Sa
authors.affiliation: Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Department of Surgery (D.d.S. and O.R.A.), and Centre for Evidence Based Orthopaedics, Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics (N.S.), Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine (S.E. and C.E.H.), McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Simunovic
authors.affiliation: Division of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Volker
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Musahl
authors.affiliation: Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Department of Surgery (D.d.S. and O.R.A.), and Centre for Evidence Based Orthopaedics, Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics (N.S.), Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine (S.E. and C.E.H.), McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Olufemi R
authors.initials: OR
authors.lastname: Ayeni
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D062707:Return to Work; D013177:Sports; D013977:Tibia / Q000601:surgery*