Percutaneous Hinge K-Wire and Screw in Osteotomy Around the Knee: A Technical Note

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Biomechanics of the knee

Background:

• Unicompartmental knee osteoarthritis can result from lower-limb malalignment.
• Extra-articular metaphyseal deformities are a common cause of knee malalignment.
• Osteotomy around the knee is a surgical option for correcting malalignment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a technique for preventing hinge fractures during knee osteotomy.
• To enhance the stability of fixation after osteotomy.

Main Methods:

• A technical note detailing a surgical technique.
• Utilizing a K-wire across the osteotomy hinge on the opposite side.
• Adding a positional screw for increased fixation stability.

Main Results:

• The described technique is simple and replicable.
• Aims to prevent hinge fractures, a feared complication.
• Enhances stability through combined K-wire and screw fixation.

Conclusions:

• The described technique offers a method to prevent hinge fractures during knee osteotomy.
• This approach increases surgical safety and fixation stability.
• Provides a valuable addition to the armamentarium for correcting knee malalignment.