Minimally Invasive High Tibial Osteotomy Using a Patient-Specific Cutting Guide

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Biomedical engineering

Background:

• Varus knee osteoarthritis significantly impacts patient quality of life.
• Medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy (OW-HTO) is a viable surgical treatment for varus knee osteoarthritis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a minimally invasive technique for OW-HTO.
• To highlight the use of patient-specific cutting guides (PSCG) for improved accuracy.

Main Methods:

• Preoperative 3D planning using CT imaging.
• Utilizing a PSCG for precise osteotomy and hinge placement.
• Minimally invasive approach with hamstring tendon and MCL release.
• Fixation with a locking plate and allograft wedge.

Main Results:

• PSCG facilitates accurate correction parameters and implant positioning.
• Minimally invasive technique protects neurovascular structures.
• Achieved stable osteotomy fixation with allograft augmentation.

Conclusions:

• Minimally invasive OW-HTO with PSCG offers a precise and potentially safer surgical option.
• This technique aids in correcting varus alignment for knee osteoarthritis management.