Is it beneficial to use lateral protective crossing K-wires during medial open wedge high tibial osteotomy? A retrospective comparative study
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND: An iatrogenic lateral hinge fracture is a common intraoperative problem that may occur during medial open wedge high tibial osteotomy (MOWHTO). This study aims to assess the significance of using additional crossing lateral K-wires and their advantage in protecting the lateral hinge during MOWHTO procedures. METHODS: The data of patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria who underwent MOWHTO between May 2021 and August 2022 were retrospectively evaluated. One group had additional lateral hinge crossing K-wires (+ MOWHTO group), while the other did not (-MOWHTO group). Both groups were assessed for rate of intraoperative lateral hinge fractures, knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score - 12 (KOOS-12), medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA), time of union, and time to return to work. The outcomes were compared using the independent T-test for continuous variables and the Fisher Exact test for nominal variables. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant for both tests. RESULTS: The study included forty-eight patients; twenty-four in each treatment group. The mean follow-up durations were 30.5 ± 3.6 months for + MOWHTO and 31.6 ± 3.2 months for -MOWHTO (p = 0.26). There was no statistically significant difference regarding mean age, sex, KOOS-12, MPTA, and time of surgery between both groups. The + MOWHTO group had a faster time of union (p = 0.001), an earlier return to work (p = 0.002), and a lower rate of intraoperative lateral hinge fractures (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that using additional crossing lateral K-wires during MOWHTO had a beneficial effect on reducing the rate of iatrogenic lateral hinge fractures, with a faster time of union, and an early return to work. The KOOS-12, MPTA, and mean operative time did not reveal significant differences between treatment groups. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: retrospective cohort comparative study; level III.
Institution: Zagazig University
Language: English
Subfield: Surgery
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,090
OpenAlex ID: W4407167198