Patients suffering from bilateral combined medial osteoarthritis and varus alignment of the knee are eligible for bilateral high tibial osteotomy (HTO) in two-staged surgery. The impact of bilateral HTO surgery on rehabilitation and early outcomes have not yet been reported in the literature, even though these features are decisive in establishing whether a patient is preferably treated in one or two stages.
A total of 29 patients were followed after simultaneous bilateral HTO surgery. Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score - Physical Function Short Form (KOOS-PS) and Lysholm scores were recorded at 3, 6 and 12 months. Results were compared with outcomes of unilateral HTO surgery to asses the additional impact of simultaneous bilateral HTO surgery on the early rehabilitation and recovery of simultaneous bilateral HTO surgery.
Three months after surgery, NRS pain scores decreased from 60.5 to 40.9 and subsequently to 30.4 and 24.3 after 6 and 12 months, respectively. KOOS-PS scores improved from 50.0 to 44.3 after 3 months, to 33.9 and 29.8 after 6 and 12 months, respectively. Lysholm scores did not improve after 3 months (45.2-44.2), but significantly improved after 6 and 12 months (66.1 and 75.7, respectively). Compared with unilateral HTO surgery, similar improvements were seen after 6 and 12 months.
Simultaneous bilateral HTO surgery generates similar clinical outcomes compared with unilateral HTO surgery and moreover it does not excessively prolong time to achieve these outcomes. It is safe and presumably a more effective approach to treat patients suffering bilateral medial osteoarthritis and varus alignment of the knee compared with two-staged surgery.