The authors evaluated the benefits of the arthroscopic debridement performed in the same session with the high tibial osteotomy in the management of the knee joint of osteoarthritis connected with varus or valgus deformity.
Arthroscopy was indicated in 52 patients from 96 patients with high tibial osteotomy in the years 1996-2001.
Significant intraarticular disorders were found in all 52 patients. 34 patients were fully satisfied, 10 were partialy satisfied and 8 were not satisfied with the outcome. Twenty from 22 patients with meniscal tears had a marked improvement. 4 patients with loose bodies and 5 patients with chondral flaps causing blockages had no further blockages or irritation of the knee. The arthroscopic findings of chondral lesions were in 10 cases from 13 more significant than it was expected from weightbearing X-ray films.
The arthroscopy performed before high tibial osteotomy in the same session helped to detect a significant intraarticular disorder and the arthroscopic debridement improved the end results after high tibial osteotomy. (Ref. 16.)