Skip to main content
Log in

Prospective evaluation of a new plate fixator for valgus-producing medial open-wedge high tibial osteotomy

  • Knee
  • Published:
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate the clinical, radiographic, and sports-related outcome at 24 months after valgus-producing medial open-wedge high tibial osteotomy (owHTO) using a 2nd generation peek-carbon composite plate.

Methods

Between 2010 and 2011, the 2nd generation PEEKPower HTO-Plate® was used for medial owHTO in 28 consecutive patients (19 men, 9 women; mean age ± SD: 45 ± 11 years; mean varus deviation ± SD: 4° ± 2°). All of the patients had an osteotomy gap height of ≤12 mm without bone grafting. Visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, WOMAC score, and Lysholm score were evaluated preoperatively and at 12 and 24 months postoperatively. Sports-related outcomes included the Tegner scale, and a self-designed questionnaire preoperatively and 24 months postoperatively. Fixation stability of the implant was evaluated radiographically in two planes by comparing the medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA) and tibial slope 2 days after medial owHTO (baseline measurements) and after implant removal (follow-up measurements). Complications were recorded during the whole study period.

Results

Compared to preoperative conditions, VAS, WOMAC, and Lysholm scores improved significantly (p < 0.05) at the 12- and 24-month follow-up. No significant differences were found between the 12- and 24-month follow-up. After 24 months, the sports frequency increased significantly (p < 0.05). No significant differences between baseline and follow-up measurements for the MPTA and tibial slope were observed. Total complication rate was 4 %, with one patient developing non-union.

Conclusion

In the clinical practice, the 2nd generation PEEKPower HTO-Plate® is a safe and efficient implant for medial owHTO without bone grafting in patients with an osteotomy gap of ≤12 mm.

Level of evidence

III.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Aglietti P, Buzzi R, Vena LM, Baldini A, Mondaini A (2003) High tibial valgus osteotomy for medial gonarthrosis: a 10- to 21-year study. J Knee Surg 16(1):21–26

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Agneskirchner JD, Freiling D, Hurschler C, Lobenhoffer P (2006) Primary stability of four different implants for opening wedge high tibial osteotomy. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 14(3):291–300

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Aleto TJ, Berend ME, Ritter MA, Faris PM, Meneghini RM (2008) Early failure of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty leading to revision. J Arthroplasty 23(2):159–163

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Amendola A, Bonasia DE (2010) Results of high tibial osteotomy: review of the literature. Int Orthop 34(2):155–160

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Aryee S, Imhoff AB, Rose T, Tischer T (2008) Do we need synthetic osteotomy augmentation materials for opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy. Biomaterials 29(26):3497–3502

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Asik M, Sen C, Kilic B, Goksan SB, Ciftci F, Taser OF (2006) High tibial osteotomy with Puddu plate for the treatment of varus gonarthrosis. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 14(10):948–954

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Bellamy N, Buchanan WW, Goldsmith CH, Campbell J, Stitt LW (1988) Validation study of WOMAC: a health status instrument for measuring clinically important patient relevant outcomes to antirheumatic drug therapy in patients with osteoarthritis of the hip or knee. J Rheumatol 15(12):1833–1840

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Bode G, von Heyden J, Pestka J, Schmal H, Salzmann G, Sudkamp N, Niemeyer P (2013) Prospective 5-year survival rate data following open-wedge valgus high tibial osteotomy. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. doi:10.1007/s00167-013-2762-y

    Google Scholar 

  9. Bonnin MP, Laurent JR, Zadegan F, Badet R, Archbold HP, Servien E (2013) Can patients really participate in sport after high tibial osteotomy? Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 21(1):64–73

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Brazier J, Migaud H, Gougeon F, Cotten A, Fontaine C, Duquennoy A (1996) Evaluation of methods for radiographic measurement of the tibial slope. A study of 83 healthy knees. Rev Chir Orthop Reparatrice Appar Mot 82(3):195–200

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Brinkman JM, Lobenhoffer P, Agneskirchner JD, Staubli AE, Wymenga AB, van Heerwaarden RJ (2008) Osteotomies around the knee: patient selection, stability of fixation and bone healing in high tibial osteotomies. J Bone Joint Surg Br 90(12):1548–1557

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Brinkman JM, Luites JW, Wymenga AB, van Heerwaarden RJ (2010) Early full weight bearing is safe in open-wedge high tibial osteotomy. Acta Orthop 81(2):193–198

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Brosset T, Pasquier G, Migaud H, Gougeon F (2011) Opening wedge high tibial osteotomy performed without filling the defect but with locking plate fixation (TomoFix) and early weight-bearing: prospective evaluation of bone union, precision and maintenance of correction in 51 cases. Orthop Traumatol Surg Res 97(7):705–711

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Cho KY, Oh HS, Yoo JH, Kim DH, Cho YJ, Kim KI (2013) Treatment of schatzker type V and VI tibial plateau fractures using a midline longitudinal incision and dual plating. Knee Surg Relat Res 25(2):77–83. doi:10.5792/ksrr.2013.25.2.77

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Cotic M, Vogt S, Hinterwimmer S, Feucht MJ, Slotta-Huspenina J, Schuster T, Imhoff AB (2014) A matched-pair comparison of two different locking plates for valgus-producing medial open-wedge high tibial osteotomy: peek-carbon composite plate versus titanium plate. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. doi:10.1007/s00167-014-2914-8

    Google Scholar 

  16. DeMeo PJ, Johnson EM, Chiang PP, Flamm AM, Miller MC (2010) Midterm follow-up of opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy. Am J Sports Med 38(10):2077–2084

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. El-Azab H, Glabgly P, Paul J, Imhoff AB, Hinterwimmer S (2010) Patellar height and posterior tibial slope after open- and closed-wedge high tibial osteotomy: a radiological study on 100 patients. Am J Sports Med 38(2):323–329

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. El-Azab HM, Morgenstern M, Ahrens P, Schuster T, Imhoff AB, Lorenz SG (2011) Limb alignment after open-wedge high tibial osteotomy and its effect on the clinical outcome. Orthopedics 34(10):e622–e628

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Floerkemeier S, Staubli AE, Schroeter S, Goldhahn S, Lobenhoffer P (2013) Outcome after high tibial open-wedge osteotomy: a retrospective evaluation of 533 patients. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 21(1):170–180

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Gaasbeek RD, Sonneveld H, van Heerwaarden RJ, Jacobs WC, Wymenga AB (2004) Distal tuberosity osteotomy in open wedge high tibial osteotomy can prevent patella infera: a new technique. Knee 11(6):457–461

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Getgood A, Collins B, Slynarski K, Kurowska E, Parker D, Engebretsen L, MacDonald PB, Litchfield R (2013) Short-term safety and efficacy of a novel high tibial osteotomy system: a case controlled study. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 21(1):260–269

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Gougoulias N, Khanna A, Maffulli N (2009) Sports activities after lower limb osteotomy. Br Med Bull 91:111–121

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Gould DD, Kelly DD, Goldstone LL, Gammon JJ (2001) Examining the validity of pressure ulcer risk assessment scales: developing and using illustrated patient simulations to collect the data. J Clin Nurs 10(5):697–706

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Hernigou P (2002) Open wedge tibial osteotomy: combined coronal and sagittal correction. Knee 9(1):15–20

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Hernigou P, Queinnec S, Picard L, Guissou I, Naanaa T, Duffiet P, Julian D, Archer V (2013) Safety of a novel high tibial osteotomy locked plate fixation for immediate full weight-bearing: a case–control study. Int Orthop 37(12):2377–2384. doi:10.1007/s00264-013-2066-3

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Hinterwimmer S, Beitzel K, Paul J, Kirchhoff C, Sauerschnig M, von Eisenhart-Rothe R, Imhoff AB (2011) Control of posterior tibial slope and patellar height in open-wedge valgus high tibial osteotomy. Am J Sports Med 39(4):851–856

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Hinterwimmer S, Feucht MJ, Imhoff A (2012) Hohe tibiale Osteotomie bei Varusgonarthrose. Arthroskopie 25(3):184–194. doi:10.1007/s00142-012-0697-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Houten AH, Heesterbeek PJC, Heerwaarden RJ, Tienen TG, Wymenga AB (2014) Medial open wedge high tibial osteotomy: Can Delayed or Nonunion Be Predicted? Clin Orthop Relat Res 472(4):1217–1223. doi:10.1007/s11999-013-3383-y

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Hui C, Salmon LJ, Kok A, Williams HA, Hockers N, van der Tempel WM, Chana R, Pinczewski LA (2011) Long-term survival of high tibial osteotomy for medial compartment osteoarthritis of the knee. Am J Sports Med 39(1):64–70

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Jacobi M, Wahl P, Jakob RP (2010) Avoiding intraoperative complications in open-wedge high tibial valgus osteotomy: technical advancement. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 18(2):200–203

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Javidan P, Adamson GJ, Miller JR, Durand P Jr, Dawson PA, Pink MM, Lee TQ (2013) The effect of medial opening wedge proximal tibial osteotomy on patellofemoral contact. Am J Sports Med 41(1):80–86. doi:10.1177/0363546512462810

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Jung WH, Chun CW, Lee JH, Ha JH, Kim JH, Jeong JH (2013) Comparative study of medial opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy using 2 different implants. Arthroscopy 29(6):1063–1071

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Kaper BP, Bourne RB, Rorabeck CH, Macdonald SJ (2001) Patellar infera after high tibial osteotomy. J Arthroplasty 16(2):168–173

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Kendoff D, Citak M, Pearle A, Gardner MJ, Hankemeier S, Krettek C, Hufner T (2007) Influence of lower limb rotation in navigated alignment analysis: implications for high tibial osteotomies. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 15(8):1003–1008. doi:10.1007/s00167-007-0308-x

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Kim SJ, Koh YG, Chun YM, Kim YC, Park YS, Sung CH (2009) Medial opening wedge high-tibial osteotomy using a kinematic navigation system versus a conventional method: a 1-year retrospective, comparative study. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 17(2):128–134

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Kolb W, Guhlmann H, Windisch C, Kolb K, Koller H, Grutzner P (2009) Opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy with a locked low-profile plate. J Bone Joint Surg Am 91(11):2581–2588

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Kurtz SM, Devine JN (2007) PEEK biomaterials in trauma, orthopedic, and spinal implants. Biomaterials 28(32):4845–4869

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Lewold S, Robertsson O, Knutson K, Lidgren L (1998) Revision of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty: outcome in 1,135 cases from the Swedish Knee Arthroplasty study. Acta Orthop Scand 69(5):469–474

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Lobenhoffer P, Agneskirchner JD (2003) Improvements in surgical technique of valgus high tibial osteotomy. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 11(3):132–138

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Lobenhoffer PP, Agneskirchner JJ, Zoch WW (2004) Open valgus alignment osteotomy of the proximal tibia with fixation by medial plate fixator. Orthopade 33(2):153–160

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Longino PD, Birmingham TB, Schultz WJ, Moyer RF, Giffin JR (2013) Combined tibial tubercle osteotomy with medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy minimizes changes in patellar height: a prospective cohort study with historical controls. Am J Sports Med 41(12):2849–2857

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Luites JW, Brinkman JM, Wymenga AB, van Heerwaarden RJ (2009) Fixation stability of opening- versus closing-wedge high tibial osteotomy: a randomised clinical trial using radiostereometry. J Bone Joint Surg Br 91(11):1459–1465

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Maffulli N, Loppini M, Longo UG, Denaro V, Oliva F (2013) Bovine xenograft locking Puddu plate versus tricalcium phosphate spacer non-locking Puddu plate in opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy: a prospective double-cohort study. Int Orthop 37(5):819–826

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Matar WY, Boscariol R, Dervin GF (2009) Open wedge high tibial osteotomy: a roentgenographic comparison of a horizontal and an oblique osteotomy on patellar height and sagittal tibial slope. Am J Sports Med 37(4):735–742

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Meidinger G, Imhoff AB, Paul J, Kirchhoff C, Sauerschnig M, Hinterwimmer S (2011) May smokers and overweight patients be treated with a medial open-wedge HTO? Risk factors for non-union. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 19(3):333–339

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Mont MA, Stuchin SA, Paley D, Sharkey PF, Parvisi J, Tria AJ Jr, Bonutti PM, Etienne G (2004) Different surgical options for monocompartmental osteoarthritis of the knee: high tibial osteotomy versus unicompartmental knee arthroplasty versus total knee arthroplasty: indications, techniques, results, and controversies. Instr Course Lect 53:265–283

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Naudie D, Bourne RB, Rorabeck CH, Bourne TJ (1999) The Install Award. Survivorship of the high tibial valgus osteotomy. A 10- to -22-year followup study. Clin Orthop Relat Res 367:18–27

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Nelissen EM, van Langelaan EJ, Nelissen RG (2010) Stability of medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy: a failure analysis. Int Orthop 34(2):217–223

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Niemeyer P, Koestler W, Kaehny C, Kreuz PC, Brooks CJ, Strohm PC, Helwig P, Suedkamp NP (2008) Two-year results of open-wedge high tibial osteotomy with fixation by medial plate fixator for medial compartment arthritis with varus malalignment of the knee. Arthroscopy 24(7):796–804

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Niemeyer P, Schmal H, Hauschild O, von Heyden J, Sudkamp NP, Kostler W (2010) Open-wedge osteotomy using an internal plate fixator in patients with medial-compartment gonarthritis and varus malalignment: 3-year results with regard to preoperative arthroscopic and radiographic findings. Arthroscopy 26(12):1607–1616

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Noyes FR, Goebel SX, West J (2005) Opening wedge tibial osteotomy: the 3-triangle method to correct axial alignment and tibial slope. Am J Sports Med 33(3):378–387

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Orsel S, Altun M, Bekmezci T, Tonbul M, Yalaman O (2006) Early results of medial opening wedge osteotomy in varus gonarthrosis. Acta Orthop Traumatol Turc 40(3):193–198

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. Pape D, Kohn D, van Giffen N, Hoffmann A, Seil R, Lorbach O (2013) Differences in fixation stability between spacer plate and plate fixator following high tibial osteotomy. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 21(1):82–89

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Parker DA, Viskontas DG (2007) Osteotomy for the early varus arthritic knee. Sports Med Arthrosc 15(1):3–14

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Pascale W, Luraghi S, Perico L, Pascale V (2011) Do microfractures improve high tibial osteotomy outcome? Orthopedics 34(7):e251–e255. doi:10.3928/01477447-20110526-06

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Pornrattanamaneewong C, Narkbunnam R, Chareancholvanich K (2012) Medial proximal tibial angle after medial opening wedge HTO: a retrospective diagnostic test study. Indian J Orthop 46(5):525–530

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. Rivard CH, Rhalmi S, Coillard C (2002) In vivo biocompatibility testing of peek polymer for a spinal implant system: a study in rabbits. J Biomed Mater Res 62(4):488–498

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. Rossi R, Bonasia DE, Amendola A (2011) The role of high tibial osteotomy in the varus knee. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 19(10):590–599

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  59. Salzmann GM, Ahrens P, Naal FD, El-Azab H, Spang JT, Imhoff AB, Lorenz S (2009) Sporting activity after high tibial osteotomy for the treatment of medial compartment knee osteoarthritis. Am J Sports Med 37(2):312–318

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. Schroter S, Gonser CE, Konstantinidis L, Helwig P, Albrecht D (2011) High complication rate after biplanar open wedge high tibial osteotomy stabilized with a new spacer plate (Position HTO plate) without bone substitute. Arthroscopy 27(5):644–652

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  61. Schroter S, Ihle C, Mueller J, Lobenhoffer P, Stockle U, van Heerwaarden R (2013) Digital planning of high tibial osteotomy. Interrater reliability by using two different software. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 21(1):189–196

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  62. Scotchford CA, Garle MJ, Batchelor J, Bradley J, Grant DM (2003) Use of a novel carbon fibre composite material for the femoral stem component of a THR system: in vitro biological assessment. Biomaterials 24(26):4871–4879

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  63. Spahn G (2004) Complications in high tibial (medial opening wedge) osteotomy. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 124(10):649–653

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  64. Sprenger TR, Doerzbacher JF (2003) Tibial osteotomy for the treatment of varus gonarthrosis. Survival and failure analysis to twenty-two years. J Bone Joint Surg Am 85(3):469–474

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  65. Staubli AE, De Simoni C, Babst R, Lobenhoffer P (2003) TomoFix: a new LCP-concept for open wedge osteotomy of the medial proximal tibia—early results in 92 cases. Injury 34(Suppl 2):B55–B62

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  66. Staubli AE, Jacob HA (2010) Evolution of open-wedge high-tibial osteotomy: experience with a special angular stable device for internal fixation without interposition material. Int Orthop 34(2):167–172

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  67. Steinberg EL, Rath E, Shlaifer A, Chechik O, Maman E, Salai M (2013) Carbon fiber reinforced PEEK Optima–a composite material biomechanical properties and wear/debris characteristics of CF-PEEK composites for orthopedic trauma implants. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 17:221–228

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  68. Stoffel KK, Stachowiak GG, Kuster MM (2004) Open wedge high tibial osteotomy: biomechanical investigation of the modified Arthrex Osteotomy Plate (Puddu Plate) and the TomoFix Plate. Clin Biomech 19(9):944–950

    Article  Google Scholar 

  69. Takeuchi R, Ishikawa H, Aratake M, Bito H, Saito I, Kumagai K, Akamatsu Y, Saito T (2009) Medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy with early full weight bearing. Arthroscopy 25(1):46–53

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  70. Takeuchi R, Ishikawa H, Kumagai K, Yamaguchi Y, Chiba N, Akamatsu Y, Saito T (2012) Fractures around the lateral cortical hinge after a medial opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy: a new classification of lateral hinge fracture. Arthroscopy 28(1):85–94

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  71. Tegner Y, Lysholm J (1985) Rating systems in the evaluation of knee ligament injuries. Clin Orthop Relat Res 198:43–49

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  72. Valkering KP, van den Bekerom MP, Kappelhoff FM, Albers GH (2009) Complications after tomofix medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy. J Knee Surg 22(3):218–225

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  73. Wang JH, Bae JH, Lim HC, Shon WY, Kim CW, Cho JW (2009) Medial open wedge high tibial osteotomy: the effect of the cortical hinge on posterior tibial slope. Am J Sports Med 37(12):2411–2418

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  74. Warme BA, Aalderink K, Amendola A (2011) Is there a role for high tibial osteotomies in the athlete? Sports health 3(1):59–69

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  75. Westrich GH, Peters LE, Haas SB, Buly RL, Windsor RE (1998) Patella height after high tibial osteotomy with internal fixation and early motion. Clin Orthop Relat Res 354:169–174

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Conflict of interest

A. B. Imhoff and Stefan Hinterwimmer are consultants for Arthrex. The company had no influence on study design, data collection, and interpretation of the results or the final manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Andreas B. Imhoff.

Additional information

Matthias Cotic and Stephan Vogt are contributed equally.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Cotic, M., Vogt, S., Feucht, M.J. et al. Prospective evaluation of a new plate fixator for valgus-producing medial open-wedge high tibial osteotomy. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 23, 3707–3716 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-014-3287-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-014-3287-8

Keywords

Navigation