Quality of life in patients with varus gonarthrosis treated with high tibial osteotomy using the circular external fixator.

Generally, surgeon-driven musculoskeletal evaluation systems are used for evaluating outcomes of patients who are treated with high tibial osteotomy. In this study, we investigated the effects of high tibial osteotomy using circular external fixator on quality of life. Twenty-one high tibial osteotomy of 19 patients were evaluated. Quality of life assessment was made using Short Form -36 at preoperative, before fixator removal and 6 months after fixator removal. After applying fixator, the physical function and physical role scores of Short Form-36 decreased and emotional role score did not improve. In other categories, significant improvements were observed when fixator in place. At the sixth month after fixator removal, significant improvements were dedected in all categories of Short Form-36. Although there was a decrease in physical functions after fixator application in patients who were treated with high tibial osteotomy using circular external fixator, significant improvement occurred in quality of life after fixator removal.