Tibial osteotomy in the treatment of genu recurvatum in the adult.

The authors analyse the results of 23 cases of high tibial osteotomy for genu recurvatum in adults performed at the Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute from 1968 to 1983. The osteotomy is at the supratuberosity level. After detaching the patella tendon an anterior bone wedge is inserted and the tendon reinserted at a higher level. This operation has produced better results than other surgical techniques. It is indicated in the osseous type of recurvatum or in the combined type in which the osseous component is predominant. In the combined type with a capsulo-ligamentous prevalence, the poor results obtained with osteotomy alone indicate the need for combining the operation with a plastic reconstruction of the posterior capsulo-ligamentous structures.