J Knee Surg 2024; 37(01): 049-055
DOI: 10.1055/a-1965-5631
Original Article

Use of Grafts on an Open Gap Is Advantageous for Preventing Correction Loss in 1-Week Staged Bilateral Open-Wedge High Tibial Osteotomies

Kyoung Ho Yoon
1   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea
,
Sang Jun Song
1   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea
,
Sung Hyun Hwang
1   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea
,
Cheol Hyun Jung
1   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea
,
1   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea
› Author Affiliations
Funding None.

Abstract

One-week staged bilateral open-wedge high tibial osteotomies (OWHTOs) can be a safe procedure, with the added advantage of fast functional recovery, cost saving, and reduced hospital stay. However, there can be concerns about correction loss after 1-week staged OWHTOs because high loading is inevitably applied to osteotomy sites during postoperative weight bearing. Although leaving the osteotomy site with no grafts is possible in OWHTOs, the use of grafts can provide additional stability to the osteotomy site and prevent correction loss. We compared the amount and incidence of correction loss between 1-week staged bilateral OWHTOs with and without allogenic bone grafts. Seventy-five patients who underwent 1-week staged bilateral OWHTOs with a locking spacer plate (Nowmedipia, Seoul, Korea) by a single surgeon were retrospectively reviewed. Allogenic cancellous bone grafts were applied in 53 patients (group G; 106 knees, operated consecutively between 2012 and 2017) but not in 22 patients (group N; 44 knees, operated consecutively between 2017 and 2019). Demographics were similar between the groups. Radiographically, the mechanical axis (MA), medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA), and posterior tibial slope (PTS) were evaluated preoperatively and within 1 year postoperatively. Unstable hinge fracture was investigated using computed tomography in all cases. The incidence of correction loss (MPTA loss ≥ 3 degrees) was determined. There were no significant differences in the MA, MPTA, and PTS between the groups preoperatively and 2 weeks postoperatively. The incidence of unstable hinge fractures did not differ. The losses in MA, MPTA, and PTS during the first postoperative year were significantly greater in group N than in group G (MA, −5.5 vs. −2.3 degrees; MPTA, −3.0 vs. 0 degrees; PTS, −2.0 vs. −0.7 degrees; p < 0.05 on all parameters). The correction loss incidence was 6.6% (7/106) and 31.8% (14/44) in groups G and N, respectively (p < 0.001). Appropriate treatment is necessary to prevent correction loss in 1-week staged bilateral OWHTOs. Grafting, which provides additional stability to the osteotomy site, is a recommended method. Level of evidence is IV.

Ethics Approval

This study was approved by our Institutional Review Board (KHMC 17-11-046).


Informed Consent

Informed consent was obtained from all patients before commencing the review.




Publication History

Received: 05 July 2022

Accepted: 18 October 2022

Accepted Manuscript online:
21 October 2022

Article published online:
30 December 2022

© 2022. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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333 Seventh Avenue, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10001, USA

 
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