High tibial osteotomy is an accepted method for varus osteoarthritis. This study intended to compare the technique of plate osteosynthesis with the technique of staple osteosynthesis, as a less invasive procedure.
61 patients (65 knees) were included in this retrospective study evaluating the HSS score, patient's satisfaction, non weight bearing period, radiological stage of osteoarthritis, bone healing and complications after a follow up period of 5.7 (5 - 9) years. 26 patients (27 knees) were treated with plates and 37 patients (38 knees) with staples after osteotomy.
Patients treated with plates showed 62.2 % excellent and good, 27.8 % moderate and poor results in the HSS score, 77.8 % were very satisfied and satisfied, 22.2 % less or not satisfied. Patients who received staple osteosynthesis showed 80.8% excellent and good, 19.2 % moderate and poor results in the HSS score and were very satisfied and satisfied in 86.9 %, less and nor satisfied in 13.1 %. The periods of non weight bearing and bone healing were slightly longer for patients treated with staples. There was no significant difference in complications.
The data of the present study suggest that staples as a less invasive osteosynthesis after high tibial osteotomy seem to be justified compared to plate osteosynthesis having no significant difference in clinical results.