The influence of clinical and biomechanical factors on the results of valgus high tibial osteotomy

Abstract

The results of the surgical treatment of valgus high tibial osteotomy were studied based on clinical and radiographic assessment and gait-analysis in 21 patients affected with arthrotic varus knee. Although tibial osteotomy has been in use for some time now, the reasons for its frequent failure are still not fully understood. A statistical analysis of the clinical and biomechanical parameters taken into account in this study have shown that hypercorrection in valgus is required to unload the medial compartment and to prevent the recurrence of deformity in varus and pain. Walking with the limb extrarotated may also be a compensatory mechanism, in order to reduce the adductor moment in the knee and overloading of the medial compartment.