High tibial osteotomy (HTO) is a popular surgical procedure for osteoarthritis of the knee with varus deformity. In general, HTO has shown sufficient clinical outcomes with careful patient selection and correct surgical technique. Among various surgical techniques, medial opening-wedge and lateral closing-wedge HTO are widely used. This report includes basic principles and current trends in patient selection and preoperative evaluations and planning, operative technique, complications, and rehabilitation protocol in medial opening-wedge HTO.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Knee ; Osteoarthritis ; Osteotomy* ; Patient Selection ; Rehabilitation

Muscle functions are limited in patients with osteoarthritis of knees. In patients with osteoarthritis, isokinetic testing of knee musculature reveals decreased peak torque and increased walking time(50-ft). The purpose of this study was to demonstrate deficiency in muscular performance of knee, and the relationship between walking time and isokinetic parameters of muscular strength, endurance and pain of knee in patients with osteoarthritis of knees. The subjects were divided into a control group and the study group. The control group consisted of 40 persons without a knee pain, and the study group consisted of 30 patients with osteoarthritis of knees. The peak torque of patients in the study group was decreased by 16-21%, compared to that the control group. There was a negative relationship between the walking time and the endurance of knee extensors(r=?0.7195). These findings suggest that exercises to increase the strength and endurance of extensors and flexors of knees should be emphasized in the rehabilitation program for the osteoarthritis of knees.
Exercise ; Humans ; Knee* ; Muscle Strength ; Osteoarthritis* ; Osteoarthritis, Knee* ; Rehabilitation ; Torque ; Walking*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of dynamic balance exercise after intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid (HA) therapy in elderly patients with unilateral knee osteoarthritis.METHOD: 30 patients with unilateral knee osteoarthritis were enrolled in this study. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: dynamic balance exercise after HA injection group (group A) and only HA injection group (group B). Both groups administered intra-articular HA injection and group A patients continued 20-session exercises for 4 weeks. The assessments were measured before injection and 4 weeks after treatment using the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, the Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) for physical function, Berg balance scale (BBS), and computerized dynamic posturography using SMART Balance Master system for balance function.RESULTS: In both groups, significant improvements in VAS, WOMAC and balance function were observed. Compared between groups, group A showed significant improvements compared to group B in WOMAC and balance function.CONCLUSION: It is suggested that dynamic balance exercise may result in improved balance function and physical function in elderly patients with unilateral knee osteoarthritis.
Aged ; Exercise ; Humans ; Hyaluronic Acid ; Injections, Intra-Articular ; Knee ; Methods ; Ontario ; Osteoarthritis ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; Rehabilitation ; Visual Analog Scale

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of early combined eccentric-concentric (ECC-CON) or concentric (CON) resistance training following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: Patients who underwent a primary TKA were randomly assigned to an ECC-CON group (n=16) or a CON group (n=18). All patients received early, progressive resistance training with five sessions per week for 2 weeks starting 2 weeks after TKA. Isometric knee flexor and extensor strength of the surgical and non-surgical knees, instrumental gait analysis for spatiotemporal parameters, 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), Timed Stair Climbing Test (SCT) were used to evaluate performance-based physical function. The Western Ontario McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and EuroQOL five dimensions (EQ-5D) questionnaire were used to evaluate self-reported physical function and self-reported quality of life. All patients underwent these evaluations before and 1 month after TKA. RESULTS: The ECC-CON group showed clinically meaningful improvements in extensor peak torque (PT) of the non-surgical knee, gait speed, and 6MWT from preoperative values. The CON group had an increase in H/Q ratio of the surgical knee and improvement in SCT-ascent postoperatively. Both groups showed significant improvements in WOMAC-Pain, function, and EQ-5D scores. Although extensor PT of the surgical knee did not reach the preoperative level in either group, the postoperative change was significantly less in the ECC-CON group than the CON group. CONCLUSION: Early combined ECC-CON resistance training minimizes the loss in quadriceps strength of the surgical knee and improves endurance and gait speed after TKA.
Arthroplasty ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee* ; Gait ; Humans ; Knee ; Ontario ; Osteoarthritis ; Quality of Life ; Rehabilitation ; Resistance Training* ; Torque

The rationale for proximal tibial osteotomy is to correct the abnormal loading stresses on the knee that are caused by an abnormal tibiofemoral axis in the coronal plane. Aithough there are many methods of fixation including cast, staple and external fixation, Coventry staple has been used widely. But Coventry staple has some disadvantages such as inadequate fixation, long term cast immobilization and rehabilitation. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the superior performance of Miniplate staple which was designed by authors(Johnson & Johnson Orthopaedics, New Milton, UK) over the conventional Coventry staple. We have analyzed the clinical results including postoperative rehabilitation course of 3I cases who had proximal tibial osteotomy fixed with Miniplate staple. Preoperative diagnosis was osteoarthritis(OA) in 24 cases(77.4%) and physiologic genu varum in 7 cases(22.6%). 1. Hospital for Special Surgery knee score was average 72.2 points preoperatively, 90.1 points postoperatively in osteoarthritis and average 94.1 points preoperatively, 99.7 points postoperativeiy in physiologic genu varum. 2. The average tibiofemoral angle was varus 5.8 degrees preoperatively and valgus 8.7 degrees postoperati vely. 3. The active ROM exercise started at 5.3 days, standing at 13.3 days, crutches ambulation at 20.2 days and ambulation without crutches at 46.3 days after operation. In conclusion, more rigid fixation and rapid mobilization was possible with newly designed Miniplate staple in proximal tibial osteotomy.
Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Crutches ; Diagnosis ; Genu Varum ; Immobilization ; Knee ; Osteoarthritis ; Osteotomy* ; Rehabilitation ; Walking

PURPOSE: To analyze the clinical results and functional assessments after debridement arthroplasty for a stiff elbow. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 30 elbows from 30 patients, who underwent debridement arthroplasty for a stiff elbow caused by primary osteoarthritis and secondary causes such as post-traumatic osteoarthritis and synovial chondromatosis from December 1995 to April 2003, were analyzed. The mean follow-up period was 52 months (range: 24 months-8 years 5 months). Among the stiff elbows, primary osteoarthritis was the cause in 11 cases, secondary osteoarthritis due to an old trauma was the cause in 18 cases, and synovial chondromatosis was the cause in 1 case. There were 20 males and 10 females with a mean age of 36 years (range: 14-61 years) at operation. They all had pain during elbow motion. Debridement arthroplasty was performed using the posterior approach. The clinical results were evaluated according to differences in the preoperative and postoperative ROM of the elbow and Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS). RESULTS: Postoperatively, the elbow ROM improved to an average 122 degrees(range: 90-130 degrees) in flexion, 11 degrees(range: 0-30 degrees) in extension, 68 degrees(range: 20-90 degrees) in internal rotation and 74 degrees(range: 20-90 degrees) in external rotation. The improvement in flexion and extension was statistically significant (p<0.05). On the final follow-up, only moderate pain was reported in one case and none or mild pain was reported in 29 cases. MEPS improved from an average of 57.3 points (range: 33-75) to 88.9 points (range: 67-100). And there were 17 excellent cases (56.7%), 10 good cases (33.3%), 3 fair cases (10%) and no poor case. CONCLUSION: The stiff elbows were successfully treated with debridement arthroplasty. Therefore, debridement arthroplasty can preserve a good clinical outcomes using skillful surgical procedures and postoperative rehabilitation.
Arthroplasty* ; Chondromatosis, Synovial ; Debridement* ; Elbow* ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Osteoarthritis ; Rehabilitation

Distal femoral varization osteotomy is performed for treatment of lateral compartment osteoarthritis of the knee associated with valgus deformity for relief of pain and improvement of functional status. Careful selection of patients is the key to the success of this procedure. Distal femoral varus osteotomy is indicated for patients with isolated lateral compartment knee arthritis with a valgus deformity; candidates must have a range of motion arc of at least 90 degrees and less than 20 degrees of flexion-contracture. The indications of distal femoral varization osteotomy must be considered before surgery. Contraindications include patients with diffuse and nonspecific knee pain, primary complaint of patellofemoral pain, history of medial meniscectomy, and bicompartmental degeneratvie osteoarthritis. The success of an osteotomy is dependent on adequate correction of limb malalignment; therefore, accurate determination of the desired angle of correction is essential during preoperative planning. In recent years with the advent of new anatomical locking plate designs, medial closed wedge osteotomy has become popular. Compared to lateral opening wedge osteotomy, with medial closing wedge osteotomy, earlier union is expected and it provides stable fixation even with poor bone quality. Nevertheless, arthroplasty offers rapid pain relief and short-term rehabilitation period; however, risk of wear, difficulty and poor outcome of revision surgery, possible complication of infection or prosthetic failure in young and active patients, demanding high functional loading, is a cause for concern. Because this joint preserving procedure is not associated with prosthesis-related complication, it can be a good alternative option for young and active patients.
Arthritis ; Arthroplasty ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Extremities ; Femur ; Humans ; Joints ; Knee ; Osteoarthritis ; Osteotomy* ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Rehabilitation

Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty(UKA) has become a popular method of treatment for medial osteoarthritis recently. UKA is now performed through minimally invasive surgery and it offers potential advantages including less postoperative pain, reduced blood loss, early rehabilitation, quicker recovery of range of motion and lower complication rate. Fracture of the medial tibial condyle is a relatively rare complication of UKA but it affects the prognosis of the implants and patient. We experienced 3 cases of medial tibial condylar fracture after UKA. Two cases were managed with open reduction and screw fixation, and one case was treated conservatively. All of the three patients were satisfied with the final outcome, so we report the cases of the medial tibial condylar fracture after UKA.
Arthroplasty* ; Humans ; Knee* ; Osteoarthritis ; Pain, Postoperative ; Prognosis ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Rehabilitation ; Surgical Procedures, Minimally Invasive

A 79-year-old female patient had bipolar hemiarthroplasty because of a nonunion of the intertrochanteric fracture of the right femur seven months ago. As she got hurt from slip down during rehabilitation and supracondylar fracture of the ipsilateral femur occurred, she underwent open reduction and internal fixation with angle blade plate. Her walking and daily living were seriously limited because of degenerative arthritis of the right knee joint. She underwent the total knee arthroplasty using computer-assisted navigation without removal of the hard wares inserted in the femur.
Aged ; Arthroplasty* ; Female ; Femur ; Hemiarthroplasty* ; Humans ; Knee Joint ; Knee* ; Osteoarthritis ; Rehabilitation ; Walking

Proximal tibial osteotomy is the preferred method for treating medial compartment knee arthritis with varus deformity. The purpose of this treatment is to reduce the weight burden of the lesion by correcting the mechanical axis of the patient with degenerative arthritis of medial tibiofemoral joint and abnormal alignment. In general, the proximal tibial osteotomy provides satisfactory clinical results when suitable patient are selected by considering the extent of cartilaginous injury and the age of the patient and the correct technique is performed. In tibial osteotomy, medial open wedge osteotomy is used widely because of its short operation time and relatively simple technique. This review describes the current knowledge of patient selection, preoperative evaluation and planning, treatment principles, surgical techniques, rehabilitation procedures and complications in open wedge high tibial osteotomy.
Arthritis ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Humans ; Joints ; Knee ; Knee Joint ; Methods ; Osteoarthritis ; Osteotomy* ; Patient Selection ; Rehabilitation ; Tibia*