High tibial osteotomy in young adults with constitutional tibia vara.

Frontal plane malalignment of the lower extremity results in abnormal load distribution across the knee joint. Consequences of this increased stress may lead to compartmental osteoarthritis. High tibial osteotomy is well established for early osteoarthritis of the knee joint in middle-aged patients. We hypothesize that earlier realignment of the varus knee can be performed without undue risks and debilitation toward the young active patient and with good results in short-term follow-up. Open-wedge high tibia osteotomy using the Puddu plate was performed on eleven patients (19 knees) under 25 years of age for constitutional high tibia vara. The mechanical femorotibial angle (FTA) and Knee Society Knee Score (KSKS) were compared pre-operatively and 24 months post-operatively. The average FTA improved from +8.8 degrees (+5 - +16) to -0.1 (-2 - +5). The average KSKS improved from 74 (50-100) to 93 (60-100) and the function score improved from 84 (50-100) to 95 (60-100). Special concerns in this age group include unsightly cosmesis, and kneeling pain and discomfort. Open-wedge high tibia osteotomy provides a satisfactory solution for constitutional high tibia vara with minor morbidity on behalf of the patient in the short-term follow-up period.