[Outcome of treating osteoarthritic degenerative changes in the knee with high tibial osteotomy].

We reviewed a series of 47 patients-43 female and 4 male-of whom 41 were available for follow-up, the average age of patients was 61 years (range, 50-72 years)-with osteoarthritic knee that were treated by high tibial osteotomy and external fixation. Patients complained of knee varus deformity-10/20 degree, pain, effusion, ligaments laxity and flexion contracture about 10-15 degrees. At a mean follow up 3 years (range, 1-5 years) the results in 15 were rated very good, the results in 17 as good, results in seven as fair and in two as poor. Complications included 5 cases of transient peroneal nerve neuropraxia and superficial infection in two patients. High tibial osteotomy is most effective in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee with varus deformity, when correction is made to 10 degrees valgus position. The stable external fixation enables immediate mobilization, dispenses with the use of the cast and have not required second operation for removing fixation frame.