Combined Coventry-Maquet procedure for two-compartment degenerative arthritis

The combined Coventry-Maquet procedure has been proposed as a means of treating dual-compartment degenerative arthritis of the knee. The procedure was investigated in a prospective study of 14 patients treated by combined high tibial osteotomy and tibial tubercle elevation. Preoperative scores averaged 50 points and scores at follow-up evaluation averaged 57 points with a modified 100-point total knee grading system. There were no excellent results, one good result, and 13 poor results. Five patients whose results were poor have since had total knee arthroplasty. The combined Coventry-Maquet procedure required too much dissection, had too high a complication rate, and yielded a minimal improvement in knee function and pain. Two-compartment degenerative arthritis should be treated by an alternative method, such as total knee arthroplasty, when surgical intervention is indicated.