[The use of a modified Weber technique for high tibial osteotomy].

Objectives: We evaluated fixation in high tibial osteotomy with the use of a modified Weber technique (MWT), together with its advantages.

Methods: Thirty-nine patients (40 knees) underwent high tibial osteotomy for varus deformities of the knee joint and medial compartment degeneration. Fixation was performed by a modified Weber technique in which a semi-tubular plate and a long leg screw were used in place of the original Weber instrumentation. Thirty-five patients were women and four were men, with a mean age of 52.5 years (range 25 to 67 years). The patients were evaluated before surgery both clinically and by HSS scores and the advantages and disadvantages of the technique were assessed. The mean follow-up was 22 months (range 8 to 45 months).

Results: All patients were allowed to give weight on the affected leg to the extent of utmost tolerability on the forth postoperative day. At the end of two weeks, 60% of the patients could bear half of the body weight. Screw breakage occurred in one patient due to faulty application of the technique. Pseudoarthrosis was seen in none of the patients, nor were there any early or late complications. Radiologic evidence of union was observed in all osteotomy sites. All patients achieved full extension except two who had a flexion deformity of 5 degrees. The mean knee flexion was 130.2 degrees.

Conclusion: High tibial osteotomy may provide a rigid fixation, postoperative early motion and low complication rates in varus deformities and medial gonarthrosis of the knee. Our data suggest that MWT results in good stability both statically and dynamically in the fixation of high tibial osteotomy.