Distal Femoral Medial Opening Wedge Osteotomy for Post-Traumatic, Distal Femoral Varus Deformity

Restoration of neutral mechanical alignment of the lower limb is an important factor in the treatment of unicompartmental arthrosis. Traditionally, medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy has been widely performed to correct varus malalignment with unicompartmental arthrosis. However, an ideal indication for the high tibial osteotomy is the knee with metaphyseal tibial varus malalignment. The basic principle of corrective osteotomy is performing an osteotomy at the center of the deformity to prevent abnormal joint line obliquity. If pathologic distal femoral varus deformity is the cause of genu varum, the osteotomy should be performed in the distal femur. Reports of medial opening wedge distal femoral osteotomy (DFO) to correct varus malalignment are rare. We present a case of this very rare and challenging condition in a 47-year-old male, which was successfully treated by medial opening wedge DFO.

Percutaneous Vertebral Augmentation for the Treatment of Osteoporotic Spinal Fractures

STUDY DESIGN: Review of the literature. OBJECTIVES: To present updated information on percutaneous vertebral augmentation (PVA) for osteoporotic spinal fractures (OSFs). SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty have been used to treat osteoporotic spinal fractures for many years. A recent meta-analysis provides strong evidence in favor of cement augmentation in the treatment of symptomatic vertebral compression fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Review of the relevant literature. RESULTS: A meta-analysis showed greater pain relief, functional recovery, and improvement in quality of life with cement augmentation compared with control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous vertebral augmentation of osteoporotic spinal fractures results in shorter hospital stays, reduced incidence of complications, and more rapid return of functional independence.