Lateral approach with osteotomy of the tibial tubercle in primary total knee arthroplasty.

In a prospective study of 51 patients (61 cases) with primary total knee arthroplasty (valgus knees and/or knees that had undergone previous nonarthroplasty surgery), a lateral approach with osteotomy of the tibial tubercle was performed. In a lateral approach, lateral release techniques form part of the approach. In addition, the medial blood supply to the patella is preserved. An additional tibial osteotomy grants wide exposure with little tension on the extensor mechanism during eversion of the patella. The patients were followed up clinically (51 patients, 61 cases) and radiologically (44 patients, 52 cases) for 1 year. No postoperative tibial fractures, no delayed unions, and no nonunions at the site of the osteotomy were seen. No patellar necrosis occurred. The results after 1 year were good or excellent in 45 (88%) patients, fair in four (8%), and poor in two (4%). Complications related to technique were hematoma (four patients) and compartment syndrome (one patient). These complications occurred early in the series and were eliminated by technical modifications.