Comparison of High Tibial Osteotomy: Opening versus Closing Wedge Osteotomy

Lee, Jun Yub; Seon, Jong Keun; Song, Eun Kyoo; Yoon, Taek Rim; Cheon, Seung Young; Lim, Keun Young

Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate the clinical and radiological results of an opening wedge osteotomy for an osteoarthritic knee, and compared these results with those of a closing wedge osteotomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 27 patients (29 cases) with an opening wedge osteotomy (Group A) and 30 patients (30 cases) with a closing wedge osteotomy (Group B). The radiological results obtained regarding the degree of osteoarthritis, femur-tibia angle, tibial alignment, posterior tibial slope and patellar height using the Insall-Salvati's method were analyzed. HSS score was used for evaluation of the clinical results. RESULTS: Preoperatively, there were no significant differences between the two groups regarding the degree of osteoarthritis, the femur-tibia angle, tibial alignment, posterior tibial slope, and patellar height. Two years after surgery, the femur-tibia angle and tibial alignment were significantly improved to 7.7degrees valgus and 1.3degrees valgus, respectively, and the patellar height was not changed significantly in group A. Similar degrees RESULTs were obtained in group B. The tibial posterior slope increased from 3degrees to 10.7degrees in group A and decreased from 4degrees to 3.7degrees in group B. Clinically, the HSS score was improved from 74 points preoperatively to 93 points 2 years postoperatively in the opening group, and was similar to the improvement observed in the closing group. The complications included 1 delayed union in the opening group, and 3 cases of superficial peroneal nerve palsy and 1 delayed union in the closing group. CONCLUSION: An opening wedge osteotomy is a relatively simple and safe procedure that gives similar radiological and clinical outcomes to a closing wedge osteotomy, without peroneal nerve palsy. However, surgeons should take care in preventing an increase in the tibial posterior slope.