High tibial osteotomy compared with high tibial and Maquet procedures in medial and patellofemoral compartment osteoarthritis.

The effect of adding the Maquet tibial tubercle elevating procedure to a valgus high tibial osteotomy (HTO) in combined medial and patellofemoral disease had not been established. This prospective study evaluates clinically and roentgenographically the use of this osteotomy combination versus HTO alone in dual-compartment arthritis. Forty-four patients (46 knees) with dual-compartment disease from 1979 to 1984 were evaluated. Twenty-two patients were treated with 23 HTOs by a senior surgeon, and 22 were treated with 23 combined procedures by another surgeon. The two groups were matched according to age, sex, and preoperative clinical and roentgenographic disability. The minimum follow-up period was two years. All had more than 5 degrees valgus alignment at the follow-up evaluation, with an average of 11.2 degrees in the HTO group and 10.2 degrees in the combined osteotomy group. A modified Hospital for Special Surgery assessment (maximum, 100 points) was used with an optimum pain score of 30 points. All were followed roentgenographically with grading of the three knee compartments. In both groups, the total and pain scores improved significantly postoperatively. There was no statistical difference between the two groups in terms of mean postoperative femorotibial shaft alignment or clinical and roentgenologic outcome. Although HTO was a good procedure for pain relief for dual-compartment disease, the addition of Maquet procedure did not improve the results.