The effect of high tibial osteotomy on osteoarthritis of the knee. An arthroscopic study of 54 knee joints.

1. Arthroscopic findings in repair of articular surfaces and the operation's effect on healthy components made it clear that the ideal correction method is to align the mechanical axis to pass through a point 30 to 40 per cent lateral to the midpoint. 2. If ideal correction was obtained, it was observed by arthroscopy that repair of the ulcerated region was initiated by the surviving cartilage in the affected area and the cartilage bordering the affected area. 3. About one and one-half to two years after osteotomy it was observed that the ulcerated region was thoroughly covered with fibrous and membranous tissue. 4. In some cases in which correction was ideal, repair of the ruptured meniscus was observed arthroscopically.