The role of navigation in high tibial osteotomy: a study of 50 patients.

From October 1, 2007, to October 10, 2008, we performed 50 navigated high tibial osteotomies (medial opening wedge). The mean age of the patients was 46.58 years (range, 16-70). Twenty-three osteotomies were performed in women and 27 in men. Two patients received osteotomies on both sites. Average malalignment was 6.4 degrees varus (range, 3 degrees -10.8 degrees ). Sixteen osteotomies were performed on the right side and 34 on the left side. Detailed preoperative planning was performed using the digital MediCad (Hectec GmbH, Niederviehbach, Germany) program based on the malalignment test. Navigation data were compared using full weight-bearing and intraoperative radiographs. Navigation was shown to be an excellent device for intraoperative control of the amount of correction achieved and offers additional information regarding the lateral plain, ligaments, flexion and extension.