[Early results of medial opening wedge osteotomy in varus gonarthrosis]

We evaluated the efficacy and short-term results of medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy with the use of a Puddu plate in patients with medial compartment gonarthrosis.

The study included 15 knees of 12 female patients (mean age 50.6 years; range 45 to 63 years) who were treated with medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy for varus knees with medial compartment gonarthrosis. The osteotomy sites were fixed with a Puddu plate followed by allograft application. The mean follow-up period was 30.7 months (range 19 to 40 months).

The mean consolidation time was 7.1 weeks (range 6 to 9 weeks). The mean preoperative and postoperative Lysholm scores were 54.1 (range 30 to 60) and 82 (range 67 to 95), respectively. The mean preoperative femorotibial angle was 3.5 degrees in varus malalignment (range 3 degrees valgus to 9 degrees varus). It was 7.3 degrees valgus postoperatively. The mean correction of the mechanical axis was 10.7 degrees , with no loss of correction during the follow-up period. No adverse effects were observed associated with allograft use. The lateral cortex was broken in one patient (6.7%) who was then treated with an Ilizarov external fixator due to pseudoarthrosis. All but this patient were satisfied with the treatment.

Compared with other osteotomy models, medial opening wedge osteotomy with the use of a Puddu plate offers advantages in terms of ease of application and maintenance of correction in the early follow-up period. With allograft application, consolidation is obtained without interfering with the rehabilitation period.