High Tibial Osteotomy: An Update for Radiologists.

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Radiology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Unicompartmental osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee often results from malalignment.
• High tibial osteotomy (HTO) is a joint-preserving surgical option gaining renewed interest.
• HTO aims to correct knee malalignment, alleviate pain, and slow OA progression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the critical role of radiography in high tibial osteotomy (HTO).
• To detail the radiologic aspects of HTO, from preoperative evaluation to postoperative assessment.
• To familiarize radiologists with HTO techniques and imaging nuances.

Main Methods:

• Review of radiologic assessments for high tibial osteotomy (HTO).
• Description of preoperative imaging for patient selection and surgical planning.
• Analysis of normal and abnormal postoperative imaging findings, including complications.

Main Results:

• Radiography is essential for preoperative evaluation, potentially broadening HTO indications.
• Postoperative radiography is crucial for monitoring healing and detecting complications.
• Understanding imaging is vital for managing patients undergoing HTO.

Conclusions:

• High tibial osteotomy (HTO) offers a joint-preserving alternative for specific knee OA patients.
• Radiologic assessment is integral throughout the HTO process.
• Radiologists must be proficient in interpreting HTO-related imaging for optimal patient outcomes.