Morphological changes in the tibiofibular joint following open wedge high tibial osteotomy

To investigate the morphological changes in the tibiofibular joint following open wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO).

We studied 397 joints in 341 patients. Standing femorotibial angle (FTA), %mechanical axis (%MA), corrected tibial angle, distance (D) to tibial joint surface (T) and fibular head (F) and angle (A; proximal, distal), proximal tibiofibular joint (PTFJ) osteoarthritis (OA) onset, and tibiofibular joint-related complications were the parameters assessed.

FTA improved from 181.1° to 168.8° and %MA from 28.7 to 68.7, whereas the mean tibia corrected angle was 10.4°. Proximal TFD changed from 9.4 mm preoperatively to 7.8 mm during the investigation. The fibular head was displaced 1.6 mm upwards, and proximal tibial femoral angle (TFA) moved approximately 10° in the valgus direction from 82.5° to 92.4°. However, no significant changes were noted for the distal TFD or TFA. PTFJ OA was observed in 57 cases (14.7%), and lateroposterior knee pain in 11 cases (2.8%). Additional resection of the fibula was performed in cases with marked pain.

With OWHTO, increased load is placed on the PTFJ postoperatively. In rare cases, this can cause pain and is therefore a complication that physicians should be aware of.