Advertisement for orthosearch.org.uk
You currently have no access to view or download this content. Please log in with your institutional or personal account if you should have access to through either of these
The Bone & Joint Journal Logo

Receive monthly Table of Contents alerts from The Bone & Joint Journal

Comprehensive article alerts can be set up and managed through your account settings

View my account settings

Knee

Fixation stability of opening- versus closing-wedge high tibial osteotomy

A RANDOMISED CLINICAL TRIAL USING RADIOSTEREOMETRY



Download PDF

Abstract

Valgus high tibial osteotomy for osteoarthritis of the medial compartment of the knee can be performed using medial opening- and lateral closing-wedge techniques. The latter have been thought to offer greater initial stability.

We measured and compared the stability of opening- and closing-wedge osteotomies fixed by TomoFix plates using radiostereometry in a series of 42 patients in a prospective, randomised clinical trial.

There were no differences between the opening- and closing-wedge groups in the time to regain knee function and full weight-bearing. Pain and knee function were significantly improved in both groups without any differences between them. All the osteotomies united within one year. Radiostereometry showed no clinically relevant movement of bone or differences between either group.

Medial opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy secured by a TomoFix plate offers equal stability to a lateral closing-wedge technique. Both give excellent initial stability and provide significantly improved knee function and reduction in pain, although the opening-wedge technique was more likely to produce the intended correction.


Correspondence should be sent to Mr R. J. van Heerwaarden; e-mail: r.vanheerwaarden@maartenskliniek.nl

For access options please click here