Opening-Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy: Review of 100 Consecutive Cases

We report intermediate-term outcomes of a large consecutive series of medial opening-wedge tibial osteotomies.

One hundred consecutive patients who underwent medial high tibial osteotomy from 2004-2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Charts were reviewed for patient age and gender, knee pain and range of motion, smoking status, and body mass index. Operative reports were reviewed for bone graft type, degree of correction, and osteotomy fixation method. Radiographs were evaluated for lateral cortical or intra-articular fracture, osteotomy healing, and preoperative and postoperative tibiofemoral angles.

Eighty-nine osteotomies (89%) in 83 patients were included in the study. Most procedures were performed for medial knee arthritis. The mean age at surgery was 48.1 years, and the mean follow-up period was 4.0 years. The mean tibiofemoral alignment was 3.2° of varus preoperatively and 6.4° of valgus postoperatively. Plate and screw fixation was used in all cases. Bone grafting methods included autograft, allograft, iliac crest aspirate, platelet-rich plasma, and demineralized bone matrix. Of the osteotomies, 83 (93%) healed uneventfully. Five nonunions and 1 delayed union occurred. Allograft combined with demineralized bone matrix and/or platelet-rich plasma was associated with nonunion (P = .02). Lateral cortical fracture was associated with repeat surgery for nonunion or alignment loss (P = .02). Pain was minimal or mild in 65% of patients, moderate in 16%, and severe in 19%. Osteotomy fixation with a small 4-screw plate was associated with increased postoperative pain (P = .01). Seven patients underwent arthroplasty an average of 5 years after osteotomy. The need for arthroplasty was associated with longer follow-up (P = .02) and use of a smaller plate (P = .04).

Uncomplicated osteotomy union occurred in 93% of medial opening-wedge high tibial osteotomies. Allograft mixed with demineralized bone matrix and/or platelet-rich plasma was associated with nonunion. At intermediate follow-up, 65% of patients had minimal or mild pain. Seven patients had undergone arthroplasty. Fixation with a smaller plate was associated with increased postoperative pain and the need for subsequent arthroplasty.

Level IV, therapeutic case series.