[Indication, technique, and results for high tibial osteotomies (author's transl)]

In degenerative and posttraumatic osteoarthritis of the knee joint pain is a major indication for correctional osteotomy. In additon, the degree of arthrosis, axis deviation, range of motion and derangement of ligaments must be considered. In the cases reviewed supracondylar femur osteotomy, extraligamentar and high interligamentar osteotomy of the tibial head were utilized for correction. High tibial osteotomies were performed without using stabilizing plates. Autologous as well as homologous bone implants were added as needed. From the results presented we conclude, that the different methods of correctional osteotomies are equivalent, as long as the axis deviation, which is present in most cases, is corrected into a physiological valgus position. About 3/4 of the patient operated upon were improved as far as pain, range of motion and weigthbearing are concerned. Regression of the arthrotic structural changes could be demonstrated in a few cases only.