OBJECTIVETo evaluate the short-and mid-term curative effect of high fibular osteotomy on knee osteoarthritis.

METHODSFrom October 2014 to July 2016, 76 patients with knee osteoarthritis were treated with high fibular osteotomy. There were 22 males and 54 females, ranging in age from 47 to 82 years old, with an average of 61.62 years old. Internal tenderness of the knee joint was examined preoperatively. Preoperative examination showed medial knee pain and medial positive McMurray sign. Preoperative AP and lateral X-ray films of the weight-bearing side of the knee showed the narrowing of the medial space. The knee medial space, femoral and tibial angle, VAS pain score and the American Knee Society(AKS) score were evaluated after operation.

RESULTSCompared with the preoperative one, the postoperative knee medial gap was widened obviously. The femur and tibia angle after operation was bigger than that before surgery. The VAS was improved from preoperative 5.70±1.56, to 3.70±1.03 at the 1st week after operation, 3.20±0.95 at the 1st month after operation, 2.35±0.99 at the 3rd month after operation, and 2.10±0.97 at the 1st year after operation. According to the AKS score, the preoperative pain score of knee joint was 14.45±1.76, the activity score of knee joint was 12.60±1.98, and the stability score was 12.15±1.72; after operation, the above scores were improved to 42.60±2.28, 21.80±2.14, and 20.85±2.16 respectively.

CONCLUSIONSThe high fibular osteotomy with less complications is simple. It can effectively alleviate the pain of the knee joint and improve the function of knee joint, and the clinical effect is satisfactory.