Arthroscopy-assisted computer navigation in high tibial osteotomy for varus knee deformity.

PURPOSE: To assess the accuracy of knee alignment after high tibial osteotomy (HTO) for varus knee deformity using arthroscopy-assisted computer navigation.

METHODS

Six men and 4 women aged 47 to 53 (mean, 49) years underwent medial open wedge HTO for varus knee deformity and medial unicompartmental osteoarthritis using arthroscopy-assisted computer navigation with fluoroscopy. Patients were followed up for a mean of 23 (range, 11-32) months. Intra- and post-operative leg alignments were compared.

RESULTS

The mean postoperative coronal plane alignment was 2.7 (range,1-4) degree valgus; the mean deviation from intra-operative computer images was one (range, 0.1-1.9) degree; 5 knees had less valgus in the postoperative radiographs than the intra-operative computer images.

CONCLUSION

Despite being more technically demanding, time consuming, and costly, arthroscopy-assisted computer navigation is safe, accurate, and reliable for HTO.