Undercorrection: the undesired effect of compression on the osteotomy gap of the medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy and its clinical significance

Abstract

Introduction: Undercorrection is a common problem in opening wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO). We investigated the compression effect of cortex screw on the osteotomy gap and its clinical significance.

Materials and methods: A standard OWHTO using the TomoFix plate was conducted on 20 bone models in two groups to get a 10-mm medial osteotomy gap. A cortex screw was used temporarily in a neutral (at the center) and an eccentric position (near the inclined plane) of the dynamic hole in group 1 and group 2, respectively. The mean of undercorrection observed in the two groups was compared using an independent t test. Also, the effect of compression on the gap between the plate and medial tibial cortex, and the osteotomy gap was evaluated using a Sine rule. Besides, the mean undercorrection observed was assessed for clinical significance based on the effect on the weight-bearing axis (WBA) using a Cosine Rule.

Results: The mean undercorrection was 1.3 ± 0.6 mm and 2.6 ± 0.6 mm in group 1 and group 2, respectively. A significantly greater undercorrection was observed in group 2 (p < 0.001). The correction loss in group 2 has resulted from combinations of the sliding effect of the dynamic hole and oblique compression effect over the gap between the plate and medial tibial cortex whereas in group 1 it has only resulted from the oblique compression effect. The observed undercorrection in group 2 has resulted in clinically significant WBA shift (10%) over the width of the tibial plateau.

Conclusions: In OWHTO, compression is important for the stability and healing of osteotomy, but it can also cause loss of correction. In patients requiring large correction, the surgeon should control the amount of compression required and consider making extra osteotomy gap to avoid undercorrection. Furthermore, the placement of cortex screws in neutral is essential to lower the risk of undercorrection.

Keywords: Cortex screw; Eccentric position; Neutral position; Oblique compression; Opening wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO); Osteotomy gap; Surgical accuracy; Undercorrection.