Total knee arthroplasty after high tibial osteotomy.

Between 1980 and 1995, 95 consecutive total knee replacements were performed at an average of 10 years 4 months after high tibial osteotomy. The average age of the 82 patients was 66 years, with a preoperative diagnosis of osteoarthritis in 94 knees. One patient died 6 months after surgery. The followup of the remaining 81 patients (94 knees) averaged 8.6 years (range, 2-17 years). Knee Society knee score at final followup improved to an average of 87.6 points from a preoperative average of 38.1 points. No pain was present in 86.2% of knees, and 12.8% of knees had only mild or occasional pain. Tibial radiolucencies were identified in 12 (12.8%) knees at final followup, and in only four knees were radiolucent lines found about the lateral zones. Only one tibial component required revision 3 years after surgery. Although no preoperative factor was identified that predisposed to an inferior knee score, function score, or pain score, the severity of the preoperative flexion contracture and the number of previous surgeries did relate to diminished postoperative motion. However, an increased number of patellar radiolucencies were seen in the knees in which the lateral joint line was raised (referenced from the fibular head) a greater degree. The clinical results of total knee replacement after high tibial osteotomy appeared similar to those of primary total knee replacement. The previous high tibial osteotomy had no adverse effect on the eventual results of a cemented posterior cruciate retaining total knee replacement.