Tibial Tubercle Osteotomy: Indications, Outcomes, and Complications

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Biomechanics
• Sports Medicine

Background:

• Tibial tubercle osteotomy (TTO) addresses various patellofemoral disorders unresponsive to conservative treatment.
• It's a customizable procedure based on patient pathoanatomy, physical examination, and imaging.
• Complication rates are influenced by surgical indication, patient condition severity, and approach.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive resource on TTO, covering indications, techniques, outcomes, and complications.
• To consolidate existing literature on this versatile surgical technique.
• To serve as a valuable reference for clinicians managing patellofemoral disorders.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on Tibial Tubercle Osteotomy.
• Analysis of surgical techniques and patient-specific modifications.
• Evaluation of reported outcomes and complication rates based on surgical approach and indication.

Main Results:

• Osteotomies preserving a distal cortical hinge demonstrate lower complication rates compared to complete tubercle detachment.
• Tibial tubercle osteotomy consistently achieves symptomatic relief for patients.
• Most patients can resume work and sports within 3 and 6 months post-surgery, respectively.

Conclusions:

• Tibial tubercle osteotomy is a personalizable and effective technique for multiple patellofemoral disorders.
• Modifications like maintaining a distal cortical hinge can mitigate surgical risks.
• The procedure is associated with favorable outcomes and a good patient return to pre-operative functional levels.