Complications following Medial Opening Wedge Osteotomy of the Knee: Retrospective Study

OBJECTIVE To retrospectively survey the most frequent complications from medial opening wedge high-tibial osteotomy. This procedure is becoming increasingly important in treating knee arthrosis, as one of the options for young and active patients. Despite satisfactory results and its benefits, it is not a complication-free procedure. METHODS All cases of medial opening wedge high-tibial osteotomy above the tibial tubercle with fixation using a Puddu plate that were performed at the Celso Pierro Hospital and Maternity Hospital, Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas (PUC-Campinas) and the Wilson Mello Institute, Campinas, between October 1, 1987, and October 30, 2008, were evaluated retrospectively. Patients with less than 12 months of follow-up or incomplete medical files, and those who underwent bilateral osteotomy, were excluded. RESULTS Out of the 67 cases evaluated, 55 were males and 12 were females, with a mean age of 49.5 years. The mean wedge size was 10.15 mm and the most common complications were moderate to severe pain (13.04%), stiffness (6.52%), material breakage (4.4%), intraoperative fracture of the lateral cortical bone (4.4%) and infection (4.4%). It was observed that patients with delayed consolidation of the osteotomy had a greater chance of presenting complications (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Complications from medial wedge osteotomy are more frequent when associated with delayed consolidation.