Improvement of proximal tibial osteotomy results by lateral retinacular release

We sought to compare the clinical and radiographic outcomes of patients who had high tibial osteotomies with or without lateral retinacular release with an emphasis on patellofemoral symptoms. We prospectively studied 64 patients who had proximal tibial osteotomies from 1990 to 1999. The minimum followup was 5 years. Preoperative varus deformity and medial compartment osteoarthritis were present in all patients. A Coventry proximal tibial osteotomy was used in all patients. Retinacular release was not used in 32 patients (Group A) but was added for the other 32 patients (Group B). Flexion was greater for patients in Group B (mean, 110 degrees ; range, 100 degrees -125 degrees ) than for patients in Group A (mean, 95 degrees ; range, 90 degrees -115 degrees ). The Knee Society score also was greater for patients in Group B (mean, 91 points) than for patients in Group A (mean, 80 points). The cohorts were small, but there was a difference favoring patients who had a lateral retinacular release.

Therapeutic study, Level II (prospective comparative study). See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.