[Stabilization of interligamentous valgus procedure in tibial head osteotomy using staples]

In patients with painful post-traumatic or idiopathic varus gonarthrosis we perform interligamentous valgization osteotomy of the tibial head if arthroscopy shows the lateral joint surfaces to be in sufficiently good condition. Between 1989 and 1993, a total of 75 osteotomies were performed in symptomatic varus gonarthrosis, including 52 cases of idiopathic and 22 cases of post-traumatic gonarthrosis, and one case following infection of the knee joint. The corrections were stabilized exclusively with osteotomy staples (e.g. Richards). The stability thus achieved permits mobilization without plaster with partial loading up to 15 kg from the first postoperative day on. If the indication is adhered to, the operation correctly performed and the complication rate low, we regard the described procedure as appropriate for treating monocondylar varus gonarthrosis.