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Purpose of the Study: The aim of the study was to evaluate the group of patients treated for varus arthritic knee by the method of high tibial osteotomy from the lateral approach and to assess its role in the present-day orthopaedic surgery which also offers other options such as distraction osteotomy from the medial approach, autologous chondrocyte transplantation or alloplasty., Material and Methods: The study included 101 patients, 41 women and 60 men, undergoing lateral valgus high tibial osteotomy at our department between 2003 and 2007. The age of patients at the time of surgery ranged from 34 to 61 years, with an average of 54 years. The follow-up period was in the range of 2 to 7 years, with an average of 5.2 years. Moderate varus gonarthrosis was the most frequent indication for osteotomy. Each procedure was preceded by arthroscopy with treatment of the pathologies found; these most frequently included a torn medial meniscus, synovitis or medial compartment chondropathy. The outcomes were evaluated using a system of clinical and radiographic assessment (A) and the Lysholm score (B) before and after surgery., Results: The A system evaluation showed excellent, good and poor results in 42, 47 and 12 patients, respectively. The average Lysholm score was 51 points before surgery and 73 points at the final follow-up examination; the average improvement was by 22 points. The average mechanical axis was 2 degrees of varus before and 6 degrees of valgus after surgery. The minimal correction of the axis was 4 degrees and the maximal correction was 18 degrees. The average change of the axis was 8 degrees. Complications were recorded in 21% of the patients. None of the patients had delayed healing, pseudoarthrosis, fracture of the tibial plateau or peroneal nerve palsy., Discussion: Long-term excellent and good outcomes were found more often in the patients with a greater resulting valgus angle. After surgery the average anatomical axis was 7.4 degrees of valgus for good and excellent results, and 4.3 degrees of valgus for poor results. This is in agreement with the common recommendation that osteotomy should produce mild overcorrection. The 95% osteotomy survival rate in this study is in accordance with the results reported by Coventry et al. and Sprenger et al. With strict adherence to the indication criteria, we did not find any clear relationship between the severity of knee injury before surgery and the subjective evaluation of post-operative clinical outcome. The patient's body mass index (BMI) had no effect on the outcome, but the majority of our patients had a BMI below 30 (average, 28.2). The range of motion after surgery was not significantly limited. Both the occurrence of complications and alignment maintenance are comparable with the results of distraction osteotomy., Conclusions: The mid-term results of valgus osteotomy performed by the technique described by Coventry et al. testify to the lasting success of this method. Satisfaction with its outcome can be expected in about 90% of the patients in a 5-year post-operative period. To achieve this, it is necessary to strictly observe the indication criteria, operative technique and thorough arthroscopic treatment of the joint. Also, the necessity of slight over-correction to 8 degrees of valgus is emphasised.

The authors present the technique of high tibial correction osteotomy by the medial opening procedure, with the use of an angle-stable TomoFix plate. The prerequisite for a long-term good outcome of corrective osteotomy in genu varum is to achieve limb alignment permitting transfer of weight-bearing from the affected medial compartment to the healthy lateral compartment of the knee. The development of implants that maintain a stable angle has facilitated corrective osteotomy with an opening wedge on the medial side of the proximal tibia. These implants provide stable fixation even when a high correction of the mechanical axis is needed. The authors present the case of a patient with varus malalignment following a fracture of the tibia. In order to achieve correction of the limb's mechanical axis, it was necessary to open the proximal tibia osteotomy with a wedge that was 2.5 cm on the outer side.

Purpose of the Study: Several options for treatment of valgus deformity in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) have been described. In 2002 the lateral approach to the valgus knee with Z-plasty of the articular capsule involving part of Hoffa's fat pad started to be used in our department. In this study the surgical technique, including steps for gradual deformity correction, is described and shortterm results are evaluated., Material: A total of 1136 TKAs were carried out in the period from 1994 to 2004; of these 131 (11 %) were performed on valgus knee. After a visit to the Schulthess Klinik and personal communication with Dr. med. T. Drobny, we began to use the lateral approach to the valgus knee, with Z-plasty of the articular capsule and involvement of Hoffa's fat pad. Forty-two patients (35 women and 7 men) were treated by this technique. The average age of this group was 71 years, and the average preoperative valgus deformity was 20.5 degrees., Surgical Technique: A skin incision is made along the midline and, in its lower part, it is led toward the lateral border of the tibial tubercle. The joint capsule is incised in the superficial layer at about 2 cm lateral to the patella. Dissection of the superficial and deep layers of the capsule is made laterally, extending up to 4 cm. After joint exposure, the fat pad is separated from the medial attachment and preserved, on a lateral pedicle, with the patellar ligament. If needed, this flap can be used to close a defect in the distal articular capsule. By including both parts of the joint capsule produced by Z-plasty, medial transposition of the patella is achieved after suture. The deformity is corrected in a sequential manner according to its severity and the effect of release in each step, as follows: 1) Point incisions of the iliotibial band at a 5-cm distance above the articular fissure (piecrusting). 2) Subperiosteal elevation of the iliotibial band attachment from Gerdy's tubercle. 3) Release of the posterolateral capsule. 4) Subperiosteal release of the femoral attachment of the lateral collaterall ligament and dissection of the popliteal muscle. 5) Release of the lateral head of the gastrocnemius muscle. The evaluation of patients was based on the Knee Society Clinical Rating System., Results: Using this surgical technique, correction of deformity was achieved in all patients. The knee axis after surgery improved to 6.6 degrees on the average. The more extensive dissection of lateral structures resulted in larger blood losses, which were on average 1150 ml, and the procedure also required a longer tourniquet application (55 min). The patients were followed up on average for 22 months. The Knee Score assessment in the whole group (42 knees) was on average 90.6 points, with 92.0, 93.3 and 87.9 for rating system categories A, B and C, respectively. The average range of motion was 0 to 118 degrees , and none of the patients reported femoropatellar problems. Revision surgery for hematoma was performed in one patient and puncture of the knee joint had to be done in several patients. Redress for postoperative motion restriction was carried out in three patients and one patient underwent repeat surgery for infection., Discussion: The lateral approach with Z-plasty of the capsule and fat pad involvement provides maximal release of and access to the lateral structures, reduces the risk of insufficient blood supply of the patella and also resolves patellar subluxation. This technique thus allows us to reduce the probability of developing femoropatellar problems that are frequently responsible for poor TKA outcomes in the valgus knee., Conclusions: The technique described here is an effective approach to the valgus knee requiring total replacement. It provides good access to exposed lateral structures and, with the use of Z-plasty, permits correct alignment and tracking of the patella. In addition, it minimally interferes with blood supply to the patella and completely avoids problems associated with suture of the articular capsule.

Purpose of the Study: The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of correction and short-term outcomes of treatment by opening-wedge tibial osteotomy with the use of allograft and a modified Puddu plate fixation., Material: Between February 2001 and March 2003, 33 operations on 30 patients, at an average age of 54 years, with gonarthrosis and varus deformity were evaluated. Grade III arthritis was diagnosed in 24 knees (73 %) and grade II in nine knees (27 %)., Methods: The preoperative planning as well as intraoperative correction were based on the limb mechanical axis, as shown on an X-ray image of the whole lower extemity. Tibial osteotomy was performed from the medial approach and the position was fixed, in contrast to the original method, with an allograft and a T-plate. The corrrection was planned so that the mechanical limb axis should intersect the articular space at 62 % of its length laterally. The limb was postoperatively immobilized for 4 weeks in a knee brace allowing walking. Limited weight bearing was recommended from the third week. The outcome of treatment was evaluated at 11 months of follow-up by the Lysholm scoring system., Results: Correction of the limb mechanical axis involved the axis intersecting the plane of the joint space on average at 60.2 % of its length, as against the planned 62 %; the average deviation from the planned correction was 2.1 degrees. Lysholm scores improved on average by 23 points. Improvement by 20 points was regarded as a good outcome and was achieved in 31 joints (94 %). Two joints (6 %) showed poor outcomes due to associated complications. The complications included a fissure of the lateral tibial plateau in one knee, failed stabilization with subsequent loss of correction and pseudoarthrosis development in one joint, prolonged healing with a partial loss of correction (5 degrees) in one patient, and superficial infection in one patient., Discussion: In patients with knee arthritis and varus deformity, the achievement of optimal correction of the mechanical limb axis is the prerequisite for a long-term good outcome. Optimal correction, as characterized by Puddu, is attained when the mechanical axis intersects the joint space at 62 % of its length laterally. Hernigou et al. define the hip-knee-ankle angle in the range of 183 degrees -186 degrees as an optimal postoperation correction. In our experience, osteotomy combined with our modification of fixation is an exact method for correcting the axis; in addition, it is simple and is associated with a low occurrence of postoperative complications. In view of a possible total knee arthroplasty, there is less disturbance in the tibial plateau-diaphysis alignment and the tibial tuberosity level is preserved., Conclusions: Opening-wedge tibial osteotomy with the use of a Puddu plate and allograft in our modification is an effective, exact and simple method of correcting the lower extremity axis, and is associated with few complications. We do not recommend this method for interventions planned to achive corrections of more than 16 degrees, because these have a higher occurrence of complications. The use of allograft seems to have good prospects; another option for achieving large correction includes application of an LCP plate.

Purpose of the Study: Varus supracondylar osteotomy of the femur is the surgical procedure indicated in young patients with symptomatic unicompartmental gonarthrosis associated with a valgus knee deformity. The aim of the study was to evaluate long-term results and to draw attention to the most frequent mistakes in the indication and surgical technique., Material: In the period from 1985 to 1995, 35 knees in 33 patients were treated by varus supracondylar osteotomy of the femur in the Department of Orthopedics, Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Palacký University in Olomouc. The technique of medial closing wedge osteotomy of the distal femur held with a 90 degrees plate was used. For post-operative immobilization, a brace was applied in most of the patients., Methods: The information recorded was as follows: age, type of arthritis, follow-up period, preoperative tibio-femoral angle, postoperative tibio-femoral angle, range of motion before and after surgery, post-operative Knee Society scores, complications, number of osteotomies converted to total knee arthroplasty, and time between osteotomy and knee prosthesis implantation. The survival of osteotomy was evaluated by the Kaplan-Meier analysis for censored data. The change in parameters obtained before and after surgery was assessed by the one-sample t-test and non-parametric Wilcoxon test., Results: All 35 knees were evaluated. The average Knee Society score at follow-up was 77 points (range, 61-95), the average functional knee score was 78 points (range, 61-95). The average range of motion increased from the pre-operative 112 degrees (range, 75-130 degrees ) to post-operative 115 degrees (range, 90-135). This difference was statistically significant (p = 0.032; t-test for paired samples; Wilcoxon test). The average follow-up was 14.7 years (range, 10-20 years). The most frequent complications were progression of medial compartment arthritis (8 knees), loss of correction (6 knees) and arthrofibrosis (5 knees). Osteosynthesis failed in two knees and, in two, superficial wound infection was recorded. Due to failure of osteotomy, six patients (17 %) subsequently underwent total knee replacement. The osteotomy survival rate was 95% at 18 years (CI, 16-19 years)., Discussion: The results of this study are based on long-term observation and can be compared with the studies by Mironneau et al. or Finkelstein et al. These and other authors have achieved better results in terms of score values, which can be explained by the following five factors: the follow-up in their studies was significantly shorter than in our study. At our department knee arthroplasty became a routine surgical technique as late as the early 1990s, and even after that some tendency continued to indicate bi- and tri-compartmental osteoarthritis for osteotomy. Also we operated on patients who were overweight and on those who were older than recommended for this procedure., Conclusions: The prerequisite for successful varus supracondylar osteotomy of the femur in unicompartmental gonarthrosis is that the patient is active, younger than 62 years and is not overweight. Early diagnosis followed by osteotomy, which prevents further progression of the disease, is also important. The detailed pre-operative planning and exact performance of the procedure are fundamental conditions. In the post-operative period it is necessary to observe the relevant regimen including rehabilitation therapy. When these conditions are fulfilled, osteotomy can markedly postpone the necessity of total knee arthroplasty.