To study the results of closing-wedge high tibial osteotomy and arthroscopy for the treatment of medial compartment osteoarthritis of the knee.
From October 2005 to June 2007, 25 patients met with our inclusion criteria. All the patients with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis were treated with arthroscopy and closing-wedge high tibial osteotomy. There were 11 males and 14 females,with a mean age of 53 years old. The pre-operative HSS knee score was 67.6 +/- 2.8, FTA was (185.54 +/- 1.11) degrees, and aLPTA was (96.54 +/- 0.52) degrees in average. The patients were followed up and evaluated according to HSS knee score. The efficacy of the osteotomy was evaluated by FTA and aLPTA.
All surgeries were successful without serious complication. All the patients were followed up, and the duration ranged from 5 to 7 years. The HSS was 85.5 +/- 3.7 at the 1st year and 80.3 +/- 5.4 at the latest follow-up. There was significant difference between every two scores of before operation and the two after operation (t = -33.135, P = 0.000; t = -13.215, P = 0.000). The FTA was (173.65 +/- 0.92) degrees at the 1st year and (174.34 +/- 0.53) degrees at the latest follow-up. There was significant difference between every two angles of before operation and after operation (t = 28.739, P = 0.000; t = 2.331, P = 0.048). The aLPTA was (87.32 +/- 0.33) degrees at the 1st year and (87.67 +/- 2.82) degrees at the latest follow-up. There was significant difference between every two angles of before operation and after operation (t = 37.264, P = 0.000; t = 2.469, P = 0.039).
Indication is important and good surgical technique is critical for good clinical outcome. A detailed plan before operation is essential for the operation. Arthroscopy is helpful for treating the intra-articular pathology. The osteoarthritis is still in progress but in a slow mode. The combined method of arthroscopy and closing-wedge high tibial osteotomy is a reliable way for medial compartment osteoarthritis of the knee.