Acute Correction of Varus Knee by Biplanar Medial Opening-Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy and Fixation with TomoFix Plate

Abstract

Background: Biplanar medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy (MOWHTO) is a treatment method that allows adequate correction of symptomatic varus knee deformity. However, MOWHTO tends to decrease patellar height and increase the posterior tibial slope, which can affect the knee joint stability. Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the technique of biplanar MOWHTO and fixation by TomoFix plate, as well as to evaluate the accuracy of the planned correction and the postoperative tibial slope. Patients and Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted on patients who presented with varus knee deformity and underwent biplanar MOWHTO and fixation by TomoFix plate during the period from March 2016 to March 2017. Assessment of patients included pre- and postoperative Knee and function scores, mechanical femorotibial angle (mFTA), posterior tibial slope angle (pTSA), range of motion (ROM) and radiological evaluation of the healing of the osteotomy site. Results: The recruited patients were 13 (8 men and 5 women), with average age 31.7 years old. The knee and functional scores improved from the preoperative mean of 45 and 41 to the postoperative mean of 85 and 72 points, respectively. The average knee flexion was 115 degrees, which at the final follow-up remained unchanged except for one case. The mean preoperative mFTA was 13.5° varus and decreased post-operatively to a mean of 3° valgus. The average postoperative follow-up period was 12 months (10 - 18 M). Conclusion: The biplanar MOWHTO allows preservation of posterior tibial slope while correcting the varus knee adequately.