Comparison of torsional changes in the tibia following a lateral closed or medial open wedge high tibial osteotomy.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to evaluate, by computed tomography (CT), whether different torsional changes occur in the tibia following a lateral closed wedge high tibial osteotomy (CWHTO) versus a medial open wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO) procedure. It was hypothesized that the distal fragment of the tibia would show greater internal rotation after CWHTO.

METHODS

Thirty knees from 25 patients who underwent HTO were enrolled. Fifteen knees of 14 patients who underwent CWHTO and 15 knees of 11 patients who received OWHTO were match-paired. CT scans were taken before and three weeks after surgery. Rotational changes in the distal fragment of the tibia were assessed by measuring the tibial torsion angle (TTA).

RESULTS

The mean TTA in the CWHTO group pre-operatively and postoperatively was +23.9° ± 7.8° and + 18.2° ± 7.0°, respectively. Internal rotation of the distal fragment of the tibia after CWHTO was -5.7 ± 3.3° (P < 0.001). In the OWHTO group, the mean TTA pre-operatively and postoperatively was +27.9° ± 6.9° and + 26.8 ± 7.7°, respectively, with no significant change in torsion observed (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The distal fragment of the tibia rotated internally after CWHTO but not after OWHTO.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III: case-control study.