Assessment of open-wedge high tibial osteotomy plus tibial tubercle osteotomy: A novel approach for genu varum treatment

Lower extremity genu varum is a common deformity leading to imbalanced weight distribution on the knee joint and eventually significant disabilities due to medial compartment joint osteoarthritis. This study was aimed to assess the efficacy of a novel technique of high tibial open wedge osteotomy plus tubercle osteotomy in a follow-up study.

This is a prospective census cross-sectional study conducted on 146 patients with the history of genu varus undergone high tibial open-wedge osteotomy and tubercle osteotomy since 2011. The study population was followed within 6 months regarding tibial slope angle and medial proximal tibial angle alterations and operation-related complications, including venous phlebitis, nerve, and arterial injury, deep and superficial infection, mal-, non- and delayed-union.

146 patients with the mean age of 25.66 ± 4.23 years, and predominance of male gender (60.3%) were evaluated. Mean of tibia slope and MPTA before the surgical procedure was 9.38 ± 0.85 and 79.45 ± 2.11 that turned to 7.10 ± 0.84 and 89.74 ± 1.52 postoperatively, respectively (P < 0.001). Arterial and peroneal nerve injury was not detected in any of the cases. Deep-vein phlebitis, superficial infection, and delayed-union, malunion, and nonunion were presented in 2.05%, 1.36%, and 2.05%, respectively.

Outcomes of this study showed significant improvement in the tibia slope angle and MPTA postoperatively. Surgical-associated complications were negligible and rehabilitated by performing appropriate medical/surgical approaches. Considering the number of assessed population, HTO plus tubercle osteotomy seems an acceptable approach for genu varum treatment.