Evaluation of Changes in the Tibiotalar joint after High Tibial Osteotomy.

BACKGROUND There are limited studies regarding the effects of high tibial osteotomy (HTO) on other areas of lower extremity. In current study, we investigated the changes of tibiotalar joint following HTO. METHODS A total of 39 patients with genu varum requiring HTO were enrolled in this before and after study. The genu varus, joint diversion (JDA), lateral distal tibial (LDTA) and lateral distal tibial-ground surface (LDT-GSA) angles were measured before the operation and compared with 6 months after the surgery. RESULTS Twenty threeout of39 patients (59%) were females. The genu varus angle decreased significantly (13°±1.7° versus 0.6°±1°). No significant changes were seen in JDA (P=0.45) and LDTA (P=0.071). LDT-GSA changed significantly (P=0.011) from 8.1°±1° in varus to -0.3°±0.5° in valgus. CONCLUSION Although HTO did not change the JDA and LDTA, however, significant change in LDT-GSAindicates that HTO can significantly decrease the shearing forces exerted on the ankle joint.