Excellent long-term results in combined high tibial osteotomy, anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and chondral resurfacing in patients with severe osteoarthritis and varus alignment.

PURPOSE: To determine survivorship and functional results of medial open-wedge high tibial osteotomy (HTO) combined with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) and a chondral resurfacing (CR) procedure (abrasion/microfracture) in patients with Kellgren-Lawrence grade 3 and 4 osteoarthritis with full thickness-cartilage defects, ACL-insufficiency and varus alignment. METHODS: A cohort of 23 patients undergoing a combined procedure of HTO (fixation with angular stable internal fixator, Tomofix®), ACLR and CR for the treatment of severe symptomatic medial osteoarthritis, ACL insufficiency and varus alignment (> 4°) between 2005 and 2009 was prospectively surveyed with a minimum follow-up of 10 years with regard to survival (not requiring arthroplasty), functional outcome (subjective IKDC score), pain level (numeric rating scale), Oxford Knee Score (OKS) and subjective satisfaction. The Wilcoxon signed-rank-test was used for statistical evaluation of non-parametric data in these related samples. RESULTS: Twenty-one cases were included, one case with incomplete follow-up data and another case excluded. The follow-up rate was 91% at 12.0 ± 1.0 years (10.0-13.4). Mean age at time of surgery was 47.3 ± 5.9 years (37.8-57.7). At final follow-up, no arthroplasty was performed in any of the cases (survival: 100%). Subjective IKDC score improved from 47 ± 11 to 75 ± 15 at 1, 72 ± 15 at 3, 73 ± 17 at 6 years and 70 ± 16 at final follow-up (p < 0.001), respectively. At final follow-up the OKS was 40 ± 7 (17-48) and pain-level significantly decreased from 7.5 ± 1.0 preoperatively to 2.9 ± 2.3 (p < 0.001) at final follow-up. All patients were satisfied with the result and stated that they would retrospectively undergo the procedure again. CONCLUSION: A combined approach of HTO, ACLR and a CR shows excellent results in a long-term follow-up in selected young patients even in severe osteoarthritis. However, the role and potential benefit of the ACLR and CR compared to HTO alone remains unclear. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic case series, Level IV.

Ten-Year Results of Medial Open-Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy and Chondral Resurfacing in Severe Medial Osteoarthritis and Varus Malalignment.

BACKGROUND: High tibial osteotomy (HTO) is a widely used treatment option for medial osteoarthritis and varus malalignment, especially in young patients with early osteoarthritis. Limited outcome data are available for this procedure in severe osteoarthritis, and no long-term data are available using newer implants. PURPOSE: To determine survivorship and functional results of medial open-wedge HTO combined with a chondral resurfacing (CR) procedure (abrasion plus microfracture) in severe medial osteoarthritis (Kellgren-Lawrence grade 3 and 4) and varus malalignment. Furthermore, factors that potentially influence the outcome were analyzed. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: From September 2005 to December 2008, all cases of HTO (fixation with an angular-stable internal fixator) combined with CR were prospectively surveyed with regard to survival (Kaplan-Meier-method, not requiring arthroplasty) and functional outcome (subjective International Knee Documentation Committee [IKDC] score). Cartilage regeneration at the time of hardware removal, tibial bone varus angle (TBVA), pre- and postoperative mechanical medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA), and postoperative alignment were analyzed with regard to the result. RESULTS: Seventy-nine knees were included (73 patients; mean age 50.9 ± 7.6 years). The follow-up rate was 90% at 10.0 ± 1.2 years (range, 8.3-12.1 years). Pre- and postoperative mechanical tibiofemoral axis were 9.6° ± 3.0° of varus and 0.6° ± 2.7° of valgus, respectively. Survival rate was 81.7% (95% CI, 72.5%-90.9%) at 10 years. Subjective IKDC score significantly improved from 44 ± 11 preoperatively to 70 ± 13 at one, 66 ± 15 at three, 66 ± 15 at five, and 65 ± 17 at ten years ( P < .001 at any point of follow-up). Poor cartilage regeneration and low preoperative IKDC score (<40) were associated with decreased survival. High preoperative TBVA was associated with better and an overcorrected MPTA (>95°) with inferior functional outcome at final follow-up, respectively. CONCLUSION: Even in cases of severe medial osteoarthritis and varus malalignment, HTO in combination with a CR procedure is a good to excellent treatment option. The role of the CR procedure remains unclear. Although good results are obtained with overcorrected MPTA, long-term functional outcome is inferior.