[Treatment of varus gonarthrosis using Coventry's modified technic]

A high plane femoral head osteotomy technique after Coventry, modified by Blauth, is described; during the last 10 years it has been used in over 200 cases at Kiel University Orthopedic Clinic. In the present paper the mid-term findings in follow-ups of 100 osteotomies in 86 patients are analyzed. Of these interventions, 83% resulted in a significant reduction in complaints at rest and on loadbearing, a considerable improvement in walking ability, and clinically a strengthening of the ligamentous apparatus as well as a reduction in irritation. The 17% poor results were mainly patients with advanced panarthroses, knee-bending contractures and increased loosening of the ligaments. In almost all of these cases, the axial error was insufficiently corrected, while the good results were usually associated with over-correction. In cases of varus gonarthrosis we therefore aim for 5 degrees overcorrection. With the exception of a motoric paresis of the peroneal nerve and a deep infection which healed without sequelae, there were no serious complications. This method can thus be recommended as a reliable procedure.