Arthroscopic findings in knees undergoing proximal tibial osteotomy

This study determines the occurrence of significant, arthroscopically correctable intraarticular pathology at the time of valgus-producing high tibial osteotomy for symptomatic medial compartment arthrosis with varus malalignment. Thirty consecutive patients (32 knees) scheduled for the procedure underwent concomitant knee arthroscopy. In the lateral compartment, meniscal tears occurred in 16 knees (50%), unstable chondral flaps in 4 knees (13%), and loose bodies in 3 knees (9%). In the anterior compartment, unstable chondral flaps occurred in 10 knees (31%). In the medial compartment, meniscal tears occurred in 29 knees (91%). The 5 knees with mechanical symptoms did not demonstrate a higher occurrence of loose bodies, chondral flaps, or meniscal tears compared with knees without mechanical symptoms. There was a significant occurrence of correctable pathology in all three compartments in knees undergoing valgus-producing high tibial osteotomy for the treatment of symptomatic medial osteoarthritis with varus malalignment. Prior studies have not systematically documented these findings.