Open wedge high tibial osteotomy: cause of patellar descent

J Orthop Surg Res. 2012 Jan 12:7:3. doi: 10.1186/1749-799X-7-3.

Abstract

This was a retrospective review of the nine open wedge high tibial osteotomy (HTO) done in a regional hospital in Hong Kong from 2006 to 2008. The mechanical hip-knee-ankle angle improved from average 169.5°(164°-175°) to average 183.9° (179°-187°). Patellar descent was noted in all patients postoperatively, with Blackburne-Peel (BP) index significantly changing from 0.78 (0.64-0.93) to 0.59 (0.38-0.78) (p < 0.05). This change was strongly correlated with the size of anterior bone graft (r = -0.766; p = 0.016). The patellar tendon length as measured by Insall-Salvati index was not changed (pre-operative: 1.02 (0.88-1.25), final: 1.09 (0.8-1.22) (p = 0.683)), inferring that scarring contracture of patellar tendon was not related to patellar descent.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bone Transplantation / adverse effects
  • Bone Transplantation / methods
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Osteoarthritis, Knee / surgery
  • Osteotomy / adverse effects*
  • Osteotomy / methods
  • Patella / pathology*
  • Patellar Ligament / pathology*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tibia / surgery*