Analysis of changes in tibial torsion angle on open-wedge high tibial osteotomy depending on the osteotomy level

This study evaluated the tibial torsional angle changes of 72 knees before and after open-wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO) and compared the results according to the osteotomy level.

Seventy patients (72 knees) with Kellgren-Lawrence grade 3 underwent OWHTO. Demographic data, operation procedures, and measurement of mechanical tibiofemoral angle (mTFA), anatomical tibiofemoral angle (aTFA), tibial torsional angle (TTA), and pre- and postoperative Lysholm and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores were obtained. The authors analyzed TTA changes between 30 knees with high-level osteotomy (group A) and 42 knees with low-level osteotomy (group B).

The changes of TTAs in the subjects of 72 knees went from 29.26 ± 5.6° preoperative mean to 25.36 ± 6.4° postoperative mean (p = 0.032). The postoperative TTAs of group A (mean 27.4 ± 4.8°) and B (mean 25.7 ± 4.9°) were statistically significant (p < 0.01). Preoperative Lysholm and IKDC scores of 72 knees had means of 49.1 ± 3.5 and 49.0 ± 15.2, respectively, and postoperative means of 85.7 ± 8.56 and 78.0 ± 17.6, respectively, which were statistically significant (p < 0.01).

Changes of TTA with internal rotation of distal tibia were observed following OWHTO. High-level osteotomy on the proximal tibia's lateral cortex had less internal rotation of the distal tibia than low-level osteotomy.