High tibial osteotomy for medial compartment osteoarthritis

Unicompartmental osteoarthritis of the knee is often a difficult management problem in the younger age group. A high tibial osteotomy has been found to be quite an effective procedure for this condition in the past. A better understanding of the principles of this technique and innovations in the instrumentation has renewed interest in this procedure. This article provides an overview of the principles, biology, indications, contraindications, planning and execution, postoperative care, results and complications of high tibial osteotomy. An attempt has been made to incorporate important technical considerations, recent developments and other treatment options in this condition. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.