Editorial Commentary: High Tibial Osteotomy May Not Be Required With Medial Meniscus Root Repair

Meniscal root tears are defined as tears within 10 mm of their attachment and are more commonly observed in middle-aged patients. They have been named the silent epidemic and are equivalent to a total meniscectomy. Basic science studies have shown that posterior meniscus root repairs restore both contact area and pressure to its native state. The role of an additional high tibial osteotomy is not clear yet. High tibial osteotomies are commonly used to correct varus malalignment, a condition that is often observed with these tears. However, an additional osteotomy does not seem to offer any additional clinical benefits with regards to clinical and radiologic outcomes. It also has no effect with regards to contact pressure and contact area and is not related to the degree of deformity correction.