OBJECTIVETo summarize clinical application of the high tibial osteatomy (HTO) with lateral closing-wedge for the treatment of pain of unicompartmental osteoarthritis of the knee.

METHODSFrom February 2000 to February 2004,9 patients (3 males and 6 females, ranging in age from 52 to 58 years, with an average of 56 years) with unicompartmental osteoarthritis of the knee treated by HTO with lateral closing-wedge. The proximal tibiofibular joint was exposed, the anterior part of the capsule was incised, and to remove a laterally based wedge with saw cuts and osteotomes. Stepped staples were used for the fixation of tibial osteotomies after closing the defect of osteotomy.

RESULTSThe operative course was uneventful. There were no complications after operation. The postoperative follow-up period ranged from 2 to 5.5 years (mean, 3.5 years). The results were evaluated with functional assessment criterion of the osteoarthritis of the knee, among the 9 cases, excellent was in 5 cases, good in 3 cases, fair in 1 case.

CONCLUSIONHTO with lateral closing-wedge is an effective operative method for the treatment of pain of unicompartmental osteoarthritis of the knee, but except for older patients over 60 years.