The stable upper tibial osteotomy for the treatment of osteoarthritic knee: Madial opening step wedge technique (part II).

ABSTRACT

This study reviews the results of the osteotomy technique of the upper tibia as medial opening step wedge using two iliac bone grafts fixed with a T-plate for the treatment of degenerative varus osteoarthritic knee. The technique was used in 32 patients twenty six females and six males with ages ranging from 50-65 years. During the two to four years postoperative follow up, we found that postoperative casting was nit necessary. The patients could move their knees after 3-5 days and a full range of motion was noted in one-and-a half months. However in 8 cases who had coincidentally suffered joint debridement, the full range of motion was obtained in about two and half months. The union of the graft osteotomy took one and a half months. Most importantly there was no alteration in the angle the corrected joint. Roentgeon appearances of the knees after one year showed the widening of the medial joint space, the decrease of subchondral bone sclerosis and the size of osteophytes and the knee joints were stable.