Functional outcome of medial opening high tibial osteotomy with L-plate fixation in uni compartmental osteoarthritis knee

Background: Osteo-arthritis is one of the most prevalent diseases in our part of the world, and represents an enormous socio-economic burden to the society. The primary goal in treating patients is to alleviate pain. Objective: The aim of our study is to determine the improvement in terms of alignment and pain relief after medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy with L plate fixation in medial compartment osteoarthritis knee. Materials and methods: This descriptive case study was conducted on 60 patients in Department of Orthopaedics and Spinal Surgery, Lahore from 1st October 2015 to 30th September, 2017. High tibial osteotomy with L plate fixation in medial compartment osteo-arthritis knee were done on 60 patients and the Patients were kept non weight bearing for 6 weeks. Radiographs were taken immediately post-operatively and at 6-12 weeks to assess the mechanical axis correction. Achievement of 6-10 degrees of anatomical valgus was considered significant and post-operative achievement of grade I or II Sikorski and Barrington pain scale was considered significant. Results: There were 39 males (65 percent) and 21 females (35 percent). Male to female ratio was 1.8:1. Post-operatively, 50 patients (83.3 percent) had significant pain relief and 10 patients (16.6 percent) had no pain relief. Out of 60 patients, 53 patients (88.3 percent) had significant correction of the mechanical axis and 7 patients (11.6 percent) did not have post-operative correction of the mechanical axis. Conclusion: Medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy with L plate fixation is a valid option with good results in young patients. (author)